The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in English language arts. The lowest is 3% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Livingston Elementary School
Livingston Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the New Brunswick School District, situated on Delavan Street in the city’s dense urban fabric. New Brunswick is a small city that functions as a regional hub for Central Jersey, home to Rutgers University’s main campus, the world headquarters of Johnson & Johnson, and two large hospital systems. The city is densely populated with a traditional street grid, a major NJ Transit stop on the Northeast Corridor line, and a downtown that mixes university buildings, medical facilities, corporate towers, and older residential neighborhoods. The school is located within this environment, drawing its students from the surrounding neighborhood.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a large majority of students identifying as such. A substantial share of students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a community where many families face economic challenges. The school’s enrollment is moderate for an elementary school serving these grade levels. The state testing data for math and English language arts across grades three through five, as well as science for grade five, show proficiency rates that are well below the midpoint when measured against other districts in Middlesex County. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades places it in the bottom quartile among county districts. A parent considering Livingston Elementary may want to look into this further with the school to understand the specific supports and interventions in place for students who are not yet meeting state benchmarks.
The district itself has several structural features that matter for families. New Brunswick is a former Abbott district, now an SDA district, meaning the State of New Jersey covers all costs for school building and renovation projects under the Schools Development Authority. This arrangement removes the need for local bonding on major capital improvements, which can affect property tax burdens. At the high school level, the district participates in the P-TECH public-private partnership, allowing select students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in engineering or a related field. New Brunswick High School also organizes its upper grades around four themed career institutes and two preparatory academies, structuring the high school experience around career pathways. These are features a family might weigh if they plan to remain in the district through middle and high school.
The housing market in the area reflects the broader Middlesex County context, with median home values and rents that are moderate relative to nearby regions, though the city’s dense, transit-oriented character means a mix of rental and ownership options. The local economy is anchored by healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and the university, providing a stable employment base. For a parent or resident, Livingston Elementary offers a small neighborhood school in a city with significant institutional resources, though the academic attainment data points to a challenging environment where many students are still developing foundational skills. The school’s size and setting may appeal to families who value a close-knit urban school, while those focused on high proficiency rates may want to investigate the school’s academic support programs and how they address the gaps reflected in the assessments.
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