The top reported proficiency rate is 58% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School
Leroy Gordon Cooper Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Cliffwood Beach, part of the Old Bridge Township School District. The school is one of a dozen elementary feeders in a district that covers a broad suburban area of central New Jersey. Cliffwood Beach itself is a small, primarily residential unincorporated community originally developed as a 1920s resort along Raritan Bay; after mid-century hurricanes destroyed its boardwalk and amusements, it transitioned to year-round homes, and today it has little commercial activity and no downtown of its own. Residents rely on cars for most errands, though a bus route and new waterfront walking path provide some local recreation.
The school enrolls a modest number of students across its six grade levels, making it a smaller elementary school. The student body is racially and ethnically mixed: white students form the largest group, followed by a substantial Asian population and a meaningful share of Hispanic and Black students. Just under half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a measure that places the school in a moderate-income range for the area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the source materials, so a parent may want to follow up with the school directly about special education supports and language services.
On the state’s NJSLA assessments, Cooper Elementary shows a mixed picture that varies by grade and subject. In English language arts, most grades post proficiency rates that reach or exceed the majority of students meeting the state’s benchmark, with fourth grade performing especially well. Math results are more uneven: third grade shows a solid proficiency rate, fourth grade slips, and fifth grade drops to where fewer than half of students are proficient. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows a low rate of proficiency, a notable soft spot that a parent may want to investigate further with the school. Overall, when all tested subjects and grades are combined into a single index, the school lands above the midpoint among districts in Middlesex County. That is a positive signal for a school of this size and demographic mix, though the grade-to-grade variation suggests the experience can differ depending on the classroom and subject.
Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer advanced courses or career pathways found at the secondary level. The focus is on foundational literacy, math, and science in a self-contained classroom environment.
The Old Bridge district has made several recent changes that affect families at Cooper Elementary. Starting in September 2025, the district will shift from half-day to full-day kindergarten across all elementary schools, a major expansion that adds instructional time for the youngest students. Voters approved a substantial bond referendum in late 2023 to fund security upgrades, HVAC replacements, roof repairs, and classroom renovations across all district schools, with work expected to continue through 2028. A new elementary English Language Arts curriculum aligned with the science of reading was implemented in the 2024-25 school year. These moves point to district-level investment in early childhood education, building conditions, and literacy instruction.
Housing in the area is priced well above national medians, with both home values and rents high relative to income. The county housing market has seen a notable increase in active listings recently, though homes still sell relatively quickly. For a family considering moving into the attendance zone, the cost of entry is substantial, and the school’s modest size means class sizes likely remain manageable.
Cooper Elementary offers a standard elementary program in a stable, middle-income community with some economic diversity. The academic profile is mixed but on balance above average for the county, with stronger ELA results and weaker science performance that warrants attention. The district’s investments in early childhood and infrastructure signal a commitment to improving the experience. This is a school that fits a family looking for a reasonably performing neighborhood elementary within a district that is actively upgrading its programs and facilities.
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