The top reported proficiency rate is 64% in English language arts. The lowest is 36% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Madison Park Elementary School
Madison Park Elementary School is a regular public school in Parlin, New Jersey, serving kindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Old Bridge Township School District. It is a modestly sized elementary school, with a population that is broadly diverse: white students form the largest single group, followed by Asian, Hispanic, and Black students, plus small numbers of other backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which gives a sense of the economic range present in the building.
On state assessments, the school’s overall performance across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Middlesex County. Looking at individual subjects and grades, the picture varies. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient rises across grades, from a solid majority in third grade to a strong showing in fifth grade. Math tells a different story: third grade posts a comfortable majority proficient, fourth grade dips a bit, and fifth grade is lower, with fewer than half of students reaching the proficient mark. Science, tested only in fifth grade, shows a smaller share meeting the standard. A parent may want to ask how the school supports students who are not yet on track in math and science, and whether the proficiency pattern in math reflects a broader curriculum pattern or a cohort effect. Participation rates for the state tests were not reported, so this is something to clarify with the school if it matters to a family’s decision.
Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to examine, and data on chronic absenteeism and special education or English learner populations was not available for this profile. The school environment section also did not include information on discipline, staffing, or course access. These gaps mean that a parent would need to seek that information directly from the school or district to get a full picture of student support and school climate.
The surrounding housing market in the Parlin area reflects a mid-priced corridor with moderate appreciation over the past year, and the broader Middlesex County market shows active listings increasing, suggesting more choice for buyers than a year ago. For a family moving to the area, this is a reasonably active market, not a severely inventory-constrained one.
At the district level, several publicly reported changes are relevant to a family considering Madison Park. The Old Bridge Township School District approved a transition from half-day to full-day kindergarten starting in September 2025, an expansion of early childhood education that will affect the elementary schools including this one. Voters also approved a bond referendum for major infrastructure work across the district’s schools, with projects including security upgrades, HVAC replacements, roof repairs, and classroom renovations expected to be completed by 2028. A new elementary English language arts curriculum aligned with the science of reading was implemented in the 2024-25 school year. The district’s budget for 2025-26 was approved with a tax levy increase that includes funding for the full-day kindergarten launch. These are concrete, recent developments that shape the day-to-day experience of the school and its funding.
For a family weighing schools in the Old Bridge area, Madison Park Elementary offers a mixed academic picture: strong and improving literacy results, a weaker math trajectory as students move through the grades, and a science outcome that is a soft spot the school may be working to address. The school sits within a district that is actively investing in facilities, early childhood expansion, and curriculum updates. A parent who values a diverse, mid-sized elementary setting and wants to understand the school’s approach to math and science remediation would do well to visit and ask those questions directly.
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