The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in Math. The lowest is 77% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Ralph S Maugham School
Ralph S Maugham School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Tenafly, a high-income residential suburb of New York City in Bergen County. It is one of four elementary schools in the Tenafly Public School District. As a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation, it operates as a traditional neighborhood school.
State assessment results place Maugham among the highest-performing elementary schools in its county. Across the tested grades, proficiency rates in math, English language arts, and science are strong. In the most recent testing year, the school’s overall proficiency index landed in the top quartile relative to districts in Bergen County. The strongest showing came in fifth grade, where the large majority of students met the state’s proficiency standards in both math and reading, and the school’s science results were similarly high. Third and fourth grade math results were also strong, while fourth grade reading was somewhat lower but still above the county median. A parent looking for an elementary school with consistently high academic attainment will find evidence that Maugham delivers at a level that stands out even in an affluent county.
The student body is predominantly White, with a substantial Asian population and smaller shares of Hispanic and multiracial students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, reflecting the overall economic profile of the community. Enrollment across the grades is balanced, with each grade level having roughly the same number of students. Because this is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate, and state assessments cover only the tested grades.
Tenafly itself is a primarily residential community with a small downtown and a street grid shaped by hilly terrain, particularly the East Hill section rising toward the Palisades. It is one of New Jersey’s highest-income municipalities, with housing values and rents that are well above the national benchmark. Most residents commute to New York City via NJ Transit bus service or major roadways such as the Palisades Interstate Parkway. The school is situated in a neighborhood setting, as the district’s four elementary schools are spread across the borough rather than clustered on a single campus. The local civic anchors include the Tenafly Nature Center and the Municipal Center near the downtown area.
For families weighing the district’s direction, several publicly reported changes are relevant. In late 2022, voters approved a referendum to fund roof replacements at multiple schools, district-wide security upgrades, and other facility improvements, with a minimal estimated tax impact due to state debt service aid. The Board of Education also gave final approval to a weighted grades policy for AP and Honors courses at Tenafly High School, effective with the class of 2028, bringing the district in line with many peer districts. For the 2025-2026 school year, the district introduced a budget with a modest tax levy increase that stays under the state cap, maintaining all existing programs and adding investment in mental health support services and technology infrastructure.
Ralph S Maugham School is a strong academic fit for a family seeking a high-performing elementary school in a wealthy suburban community with high housing costs and a commuting-oriented lifestyle. The school’s student body is relatively homogeneous by income, and its test results reflect that advantage. The district’s recent facility investments and curriculum updates point to an institution that is attentive to both infrastructure and academic competitiveness. A parent considering this school will find a well-resourced, academically rigorous environment within a community that values its schools.
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