The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in English language arts. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Knollwood Elementary School
Knollwood Elementary School is one of ten elementary schools in the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District, serving kindergarten through fifth grade from its location in the Lake Hiawatha section of the township. Lake Hiawatha is a primarily residential suburb within Parsippany-Troy Hills, one with a distinctive history: it began as a summer lake community in the 1920s and 30s, but by the 1960s the lake had dried up, and the original bungalows and cabins were converted into year-round homes. Today, the area retains a small-town, residential feel, and older homes are increasingly being sold to builders and replaced with larger colonial-style houses, a sign of gradual redevelopment and rising property values.
The student body at Knollwood reflects the broader diversity of the area. The school population is majority Asian, with a sizable White plurality, and smaller shares of Hispanic and multi-racial students. A notable share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a context where some economic need is present. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English language learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to contact the school directly to understand those support structures.
Knollwood is a regular public school with no charter or magnet status, and it serves the earliest grades exclusively. In an era where many school districts are investing in facility upgrades and expanded early childhood programming, Parsippany-Troy Hills is no exception. The district has been navigating community-driven pushes to modernize its schools and expand full-day kindergarten offerings; some elementary schools in the district, including possibly Knollwood based on its grade band, still offer half-day kindergarten, a detail worth confirming if a full-day program is important to a family.
On academic performance, Knollwood presents a picture of consistent achievement with some variation by subject and grade. On state assessments in English language arts, the school posted results that were strongest in fourth grade and softer in fifth grade, with third grade landing in between. In math, performance was solid and climbed steadily by grade level, with the highest share of students meeting state proficiency benchmarks in fifth grade. Science testing occurs only in fifth grade, and the share of students meeting the science proficiency standard was notably lower than the shares in math and English language arts. The overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades places Knollwood above the midpoint relative to other districts in Morris County, indicating that its academic outcomes are generally on par with or slightly ahead of a typical district peer.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and data on chronic absenteeism was not part of the available record. The absence of these metrics is expected given the school’s grade range. For a family assessing Knollwood, the academic picture is one of a school that performs competitively within its county, with a particular strength in math, and with some room for discussion in fifth grade science outcomes.
Housing in Lake Hiawatha is a meaningful consideration for any family deciding whether to move into the attendance zone. The area is experiencing a tight housing market characterized by a low vacancy rate and a pattern of older, smaller homes being replaced by larger, more expensive ones. Homes sell quickly; a local guide notes that bungalows are being purchased by builders who tear them down for new colonial constructions. The overall county market, which does not directly replace a zip-level view, shows median listing prices that reflect the high cost of suburban New Jersey living. For a family, this means that buying into Knollwood’s attendance zone comes with the trade-off of a competitive housing market where supply is limited and prices are elevated.
The community itself offers amenities that reinforce its suburban character. Beverwyck Road is the central commercial corridor, lined with small businesses, and leads to US Route 46. The Lake Hiawatha Public Library is a civic anchor. The Lake Hiawatha Swim Club is a long-standing gathering point where generations of families return for summer recreation. A Park and Ride facility provides bus commuting to Manhattan, a practical detail for families where parents work in the city. Walkability is limited, and the area is car-dependent. Street life is centered on parks, the swim club, and the library rather than a dense downtown.
For a family considering Knollwood, this is a school that delivers solid academic results in a district that is actively modernizing its facilities and programs. The community is undergoing gradual redevelopment, shifting from its summer-cottage past into a more expensive, year-round suburb. The school’s demographic makeup is diverse, its academic standing is above average among county peers, and the surrounding housing market requires both budget and persistence. Families who value a stable, residential elementary school within reach of Manhattan commuter options will find a fit here, particularly if the mix of solid math proficiency and a community in transition aligns with their priorities.
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