The top reported proficiency rate is 30% in English language arts. The lowest is 20% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elementary School
Washington Elementary School serves first through fourth grade in the Roselle Public School District, a densely populated suburban borough in Union County. For families whose primary concern is a specific building for the first years of elementary school, this is a neighborhood school embedded in the residential fabric. The school occupies a building on Washington Avenue, and the borough itself is compact enough that most residents live within walking distance of one of the district's elementary schools.
The student body at Washington is large for an elementary school serving only four grades, and it reflects the diversity of the community. The composition is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with a small share of White and Asian students, and very few students from other racial backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
State test results are available for math and English language arts in grades three and four, and they paint a picture of a school where a majority of students are currently scoring below the state's proficiency benchmarks. In third-grade math, about a fifth of students met the proficiency standard; in fourth-grade math, roughly the same proportion did. In English language arts, the picture is modestly stronger, with about a quarter of third graders and roughly a third of fourth graders meeting the state's proficiency criteria. These results place Washington's overall proficiency level in the bottom quartile among Union County districts. Parents considering the school will want to look into what academic support systems are in place and how the school is working to move these numbers upward, as the pattern across both grades and subjects suggests a cohort that is still building foundational skills.
No data was available on the share of students receiving special education services or English learner supports, which is an important gap for any family whose child might need those services. A parent should ask the school directly about the resources and staffing for these populations. Discipline data, chronic absenteeism, and staff-to-student ratios were also not reported, leaving gaps in understanding the daily environment.
Roselle itself is a walkable, older suburban borough with a tight grid of residential streets and a commercial corridor along Chestnut Street. The housing market in the broader county is active. Estimated home values for the zip code are near the high side of the typical range for Union County, and the estimated rent for a typical apartment is also elevated compared to national benchmarks, suggesting that housing costs are a significant factor for families living here. The area saw modest population growth over the past decade, though recent estimates show a slight decline. The borough contains Warinanco Park, a county park that hosts community events, and a portion of the borough was historically part of an Urban Enterprise Zone intended to encourage local commerce, though that designation has since expired.
No recent major changes to district programs, leadership, or facilities were identified in publicly available sources. For a family deciding whether this school fits, the core academic picture is the central consideration. Washington Elementary is a diverse, urban-suburban school where state assessment results are low relative to neighboring districts, and the gap suggests that families should engage actively with the school's instructional approach and any intervention programs before enrolling.
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