The top reported proficiency rate is 17% in English language arts. The lowest is 6% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Edward W. Kilpatrick
Edward W. Kilpatrick is a regular public elementary school in Paterson, serving students from preschool through third grade. Because it serves only the earliest grades, there are no graduation rates or advanced coursework offerings to report; the academic picture is limited to third-grade state testing. The school is part of the Paterson Public School District.
The student body is diverse and overwhelmingly Hispanic and Black. The enrollment is modest for the grade band served, and a substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Special-population counts, including students with disabilities and English learners, were not available in the data, which is a gap a parent may want to follow up on directly with the school.
On the 2024-25 New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, the only tested grade was third. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was low. In English language arts, the share was higher but still below a majority. Overall proficiency across both subjects, when combined into a single index, placed the school in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Passaic County. These are the school's only available test results, and they represent a single year and a single grade, so drawing long-term conclusions is limited. The data also did not include participation rates, so it is not possible to confirm what share of eligible students took the tests.
Paterson is a dense, historically industrial city that has experienced significant economic shifts. It remains a major destination for immigrant communities, and its neighborhoods include active commercial corridors, especially along Main Street. The city's poverty rate is higher than state and national averages, and median home values in the area are moderate compared to statewide benchmarks. The housing market in Passaic County has seen a notable increase in active listings recently, while median listing prices have been relatively stable. Rents have risen more sharply.
The Paterson district recently adopted a new five-year strategic plan focused on improving student achievement and post-graduation readiness. In 2025, the school board approved a budget that included a tax levy increase, the maximum allowed under a state waiver, which affects residents' property taxes.
For a family considering Edward W. Kilpatrick, the school serves the first years of a child's education in a setting with a high proportion of students from low-income households. The testing data from third grade shows areas where academic support is likely needed, particularly in math. A parent would want to learn more about early literacy and math programs, class sizes, and how the school supports its youngest learners, especially since data on special education and English learner services was not included in this profile. The school's size for its grade band is relatively small, which can be a factor for families seeking a more contained environment.
See more original research from School Decision →