The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in English language arts. The lowest is 38% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Taylor Mills School
Taylor Mills School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Manalapan, a primarily residential suburban township in western Monmouth County. The school sits within the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, which operates eight schools across the township on separate campuses rather than clustered near a center. Manalapan lacks a traditional downtown; the small borough of Englishtown, which the township completely surrounds, offers the nearest walkable commercial center. The township 45 miles southwest of New York City and 15 miles from the Jersey Shore, grew rapidly in the late twentieth century, but development has stabilized and the population now appears largely built out.
Taylor Mills is a regular public school with an enrollment of over five hundred students. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic minority and a smaller Asian population, and very small shares of Black students and students of two or more races. Roughly one in six students come from households with low enough income to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. This is a relatively modest share, notably lower than that of many New Jersey public schools.
The academic picture, overall, is one of strong performance, but with an important distinction between subjects. In English language arts, the school shows consistently solid results across grades. Students in the third and fourth grades perform at a high level, with the fourth grade cohort particularly strong. Fifth graders perform well too, though at a slightly lower level. In mathematics, the pattern is more mixed. Third and fourth graders show very strong proficiency rates, with fourth grade math especially high. The fifth grade math results drop noticeably, landing at a level a parent will want to ask the school about, as it represents a significant departure from the other grade levels. Science is tested only in fifth grade under New Jersey’s system, and those results are materially lower than the math and English outcomes at the same grade, a common pattern across the state but still a soft spot worth inquiry.
When placed relative to other districts in Monmouth County, Taylor Mills sits in the top quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. This positions the school among the higher-performing elementary schools in the county. Because the school only goes through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report.
The school’s location in a built-out suburban community means enrollment has likely stabilized. Housing values in the area reflect the desirability of the township: the typical home is valued well above the national median, and rents are correspondingly high. The typical mortgage payment would be a substantial share of household income, and the area is not generally affordable for renters on median incomes. The housing market in Monmouth County shows moderate activity, with listings moving at a moderate pace.
A few gaps in the available data are worth noting. Information on special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, discipline rates, chronic absenteeism, and staffing ratios was not available in the data provided. These are relevant areas for any parent considering the school, and the absence of information does not indicate either strength or weakness. A family with a child who has special needs, for instance, may want to contact the school directly about special education services. Similarly, no program offerings were reported, so the narrative cannot describe enrichment, arts, music, or other extracurricular options.
The district brief turned up no significant recent changes such as budget votes, referendums, or curriculum updates, suggesting a period of administrative stability.
Taylor Mills School presents as a strong performer, especially in English language arts and in the lower elementary math grades, within an affluent, developed suburban community. The fifth grade math dip and the lower science results are the points a parent will want to probe. For a family that values high academic proficiency in a stable, largely built-out suburban setting, this school is a compelling option, but the usual questions about support services and enrichment should be asked directly of the school.
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