The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School
T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School is the only elementary school in the Old Tappan Public School District, serving children in preschool through fourth grade. The school sits in the center of Old Tappan, a primarily residential borough in northern Bergen County. Old Tappan is a low-density community of single-family homes on suburban lots, with no traditional downtown. The borough has seen slow, steady population growth over recent decades, and its housing stock reflects an established suburban pattern with modest infill. The school building is located near Charles DeWolf Middle School, which students attend after fourth grade, and the local high school is a regional campus serving four sending towns.
The student body at Demarest is diverse in racial and ethnic composition. The largest group is white students, who make up roughly half of enrollment. Asian students account for about two-fifths of the student body. Smaller groups include students who are Hispanic, two or more races, Black, and Native American or Pacific Islander. The rate of students from low-income households, as measured by free or reduced-price lunch eligibility, is very low. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not present in the available records.
State test scores show a pattern that varies by grade and subject. In third-grade English language arts, the proficiency rate is in the mid-range. By fourth grade, that rate rises substantially. In mathematics, third-grade proficiency is in the upper-middle range, and fourth-grade math is even higher. The school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Bergen County. The school serves only grades through fourth, so there is no graduation rate to report.
The school’s curriculum and programming details were not provided in the available data. No information was available on course access, staffing ratios, discipline rates, or attendance patterns. The district brief searched for recent changes at the district level but found little of lasting impact.
For a family considering this school, the picture that emerges is one of a comparatively high-performing elementary school in a stable, affluent suburban community. The student body is moderately diverse, with a significant Asian population and very low economic disadvantage. A parent may want to ask the school directly about special education supports and English learner services, as those data were not available. The school’s academic results, particularly the jump in fourth-grade performance, are a clear strength. The setting is car-dependent, residential, and quiet, with community life centered on parks, a library, and school grounds. The housing market in Old Tappan reflects a very high typical home value, which shapes who can live in the attendance zone.
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