The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Memorial Elementary School
Memorial Elementary School in North Haledon serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade as part of the North Haledon School District. The school occupies a single campus in a primarily residential borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, a community characterized by single-family homes and a high rate of homeownership. North Haledon has experienced modest population growth over recent decades, though the most recent estimate shows a slight decline from the 2020 census. The housing stock is stable, with a low vacancy rate, and the borough’s car-dependent street network means families typically drive to school. Students in grades five through eight attend High Mountain School elsewhere in the district, and high school students attend Manchester Regional High School in neighboring Haledon.
The student body at Memorial Elementary is predominantly white, with a significant Hispanic population making up close to a third of the enrollment. Asian students, Black students, and students identifying as two or more races each account for small shares. About one in seven students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a relatively modest share that reflects the area’s above-average household incomes. The school is a regular public school that does not operate as a charter or magnet.
State testing data for the most recent school year shows that Memorial’s students performed above the median among districts in Passaic County in overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In math, the share of third graders scoring proficient or above was moderately lower than the share of fourth graders, who posted a stronger result. In English language arts, the school’s results were fairly consistent across the two grades assessed, with both third and fourth graders at roughly the midpoint of the proficiency measure. These figures place Memorial’s overall proficiency index in the top quartile among Passaic County districts, a notable position for a school of its size. No graduation rate data is reported because the school does not serve high school grades, and chronic absenteeism data was not available.
The district has made a recent curriculum enhancement at the middle school level, introducing a STEAM Lab at High Mountain School that integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. While this change affects older students, it signals a district-wide priority on project-based learning that may influence the elementary program over time. A steady rise in school-related property taxes over the past several budget cycles is worth noting for families considering a move to North Haledon. The tax rate has increased cumulatively, with the most recent budget carrying a general fund tax levy that represents a measurable per-dollar increase in assessed value. This trend has been consistent across the last four budget cycles and is a practical consideration for prospective residents.
No data was reported on student discipline, course access, staffing ratios, or attendance. The proportion of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was also not available. A parent who wants to understand those dimensions of the school’s environment would need to follow up directly with the district.
Memorial Elementary offers a solidly performing academic program for the youngest students in a stable, suburban community where housing values are well above national averages. The school’s strongest indicator is its overall proficiency standing relative to other schools in the county, which suggests a learning environment that supports grade-level achievement for most students. The absence of data on student support services and student experience gaps leaves some questions unanswered, but the available evidence points to a school that fits families seeking a conventional elementary education in a quiet, residential setting with consistently above-average test results.
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