The top reported proficiency rate is 67% in Math. The lowest is 59% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Taunton Forge Elementary School
Taunton Forge Elementary School sits within the Medford Township School District, serving students from preschool through fifth grade. The school is located on Evergreen Trail in Medford, a township in Burlington County that describes itself as a mix of a historic village center and residential neighborhoods woven into natural surroundings. According to publicly reported information, the township’s Village area along Main Street offers unique shops and restaurants, while residential areas are set among woodlands, streams, and lakes. Medford sits between farmland and the Pinelands National Reserve, and it has been described as an active modern community that retains small-town charm. The area includes preserved open space, parks, and natural areas such as the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Medford has experienced steady population growth, attracting families seeking a more rural lifestyle.
The school itself is a regular public school with a relatively small enrollment for its grade band. The student body is predominantly white, with Hispanic students making up the next largest group, followed by smaller shares of students who are Asian, Black, or identify as two or more races. A very small share of students at the school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which suggests a generally higher-income student population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available.
On state assessments, Taunton Forge’s results show a pattern of generally strong performance in math and a more mixed picture in English language arts and science, depending on the grade level. In math, a substantial majority of students in third, fourth, and fifth grade scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, the share of students reaching proficiency rose from below a majority in third grade to a clear majority in fourth grade and a large majority in fifth grade. In science, which is tested in fifth grade, the share scoring proficient or above was above a majority. Compared to other schools within the Medford district and across Burlington County, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it among the higher-performing schools in the county. Because Taunton Forge serves only elementary grades, there are no graduation rate or chronic absenteeism data to report here, which is typical for schools in this grade band.
The school’s location in a community with preserved open space, bike paths, and a walkable Village center may appeal to families who value outdoor recreation and a small-town feel. The housing market in the area, based on the data available, reflects a market where home values are above national and state benchmarks. The median listing price in Burlington County has been rising modestly, and the number of active listings has increased, though the market remains relatively tight with homes spending a short time on the market. A parent considering this area should be aware that the cost of housing is high relative to many other parts of the country.
The district itself showed no publicly reported recent changes such as referendums, curriculum updates, or budget shifts that would be relevant to a parent’s decision. No program offerings for Taunton Forge were detailed in the available data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about specific enrichment, arts, or support programs. Discipline data and staffing ratios were also not available. The school shares a district with other elementary schools and a middle and high school, so the academic pathway for a child would continue within the Medford Township School District after fifth grade. For a family looking at this school, the picture is of a small, academically strong elementary school in an affluent, growing suburban community with a historic center and ample outdoor space, where housing costs are high and the student body is not economically diverse.
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