The top reported proficiency rate is 78% in Math. The lowest is 61% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on J Spencer Smith School
J Spencer Smith School is one of four elementary schools serving the Tenafly Public School District, a high-performing, well-resourced district in Bergen County. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and operates as a regular public school. Because it serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. For families weighing school options in this community, Smith School offers a clear picture of strong academic foundations in a setting where economic diversity is exceptionally limited and the overall peer environment is shaped by the borough’s affluence.
Academic results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment for the 2024-25 school year paint a picture of consistent, high-level performance. In English language arts, proficiency rates across third through fifth grade are solid, with fourth and fifth graders posting very strong results. Math performance is similarly robust across all three tested grades. Science, assessed only in fifth grade, shows a solid majority of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard. Compared to other districts across Bergen County, Smith School’s overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile, a strong showing that aligns with the district’s reputation.
The school’s enrollment is small for its grade band, and the student body reflects a largely homogeneous economic and racial profile. A very small share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially, the student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Asian student population and smaller shares of students who are two or more races, Hispanic, or Black. This composition is consistent with the borough’s own demographics. Tenafly is one of New Jersey’s highest-income communities, a primarily residential suburb of New York City with a small downtown area and hilly terrain. Housing values in the zip code are well above national and state benchmarks, and rents are also high, which means the school’s peer environment is shaped by a community where housing costs are a significant factor for families considering the area.
Tenafly’s district-level actions are relevant for families looking ahead. In 2022, voters approved a referendum to fund roof replacements at multiple schools and district-wide security upgrades, with the district estimating a minimal tax impact due to state aid. For 2025-2026, the board introduced a budget that stays under the state’s tax levy cap while adding investment in mental health support and technology infrastructure. At the high school level, the board approved a weighted grades policy for AP and Honors courses, effective with the class of 2028, aligning the district with many peers. A family planning to stay in Tenafly through elementary and beyond can expect attention to facilities and college preparatory structures.
The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and data on Title I status, discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance were not available for this profile. Families who want to understand class sizes, specialist staffing, or specific enrichment offerings at Smith School would need to consult the school directly or the district’s website. Similarly, civil rights data such as discipline rates by subgroup were not reported here.
For a family that values a high-performing elementary school in an affluent, suburban setting with strong academic outcomes and a peer group that is predominantly white and Asian, Smith School fits squarely within that profile. The small share of students from low-income households and the lack of economic diversity are plain characteristics of the school’s environment. The district’s recent investments in facilities, mental health support, and curriculum changes signal a system that is responsive to its community’s priorities. A parent considering this school should also weigh the high housing costs in Tenafly against the academic returns that the district consistently delivers.
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