The top reported proficiency rate is 54% in English language arts. The lowest is 45% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Connecticut Farms Elementary
Connecticut Farms Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade as part of the Township of Union School District in Union, New Jersey. The school sits in a densely populated township that combines residential neighborhoods with industrial zones, major retail corridors, and the campus of Kean University. This is a regular public school with a diverse student body.
The student population reflects the broader community. Hispanic and Black students each make up the largest shares, followed by White students, a smaller Asian cohort, and a handful of students from other backgrounds. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a commonly used indicator of economic need in school data.
State testing results from the most recent available year show an academic picture that depends heavily on grade level. In third grade, proficiency rates in both math and English language arts were below the midpoint, meaning a majority of students scored below the proficient threshold on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment. Fourth grade performance improved markedly. Fourth graders posted a solid proficiency rate in math and a stronger one in English language arts, where a clear majority of students met the proficient or advanced mark. Taking the two tested grades together, the school's overall proficiency across subjects and grades placed it above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Union County. This suggests a school where younger students may need more support to reach grade-level benchmarks, while older elementary students show stronger results, especially in reading and writing.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on chronic absenteeism and special education or English learner populations were not available in the source materials, so families who want to understand those supports should follow up directly with the school.
Connecticut Farms Elementary is a neighborhood school housed in a mid-sized building that feeds into the district's two middle schools and Union High School. The district is in the middle of a notable reorganization approved in 2024 and implemented in fall 2025. As part of that plan, all elementary schools except one now serve prekindergarten through grade four, with fifth graders attending a separate building. This means Connecticut Farms Elementary's current grade configuration of PK through 5 may change for some families depending on how the district realigns attendance boundaries. The same reorganization brought expanded Spanish instruction for all elementary grades, a new curriculum offering that began with the 2025-2026 school year.
Voters in Union Township approved a substantial referendum for facility upgrades across all district schools, covering roof replacements, security vestibules at entrances, and HVAC improvements. These projects are rolling out across the district's ten school buildings and represent a significant capital investment in the physical plant of schools that serve the community.
Union is a car-oriented suburb with a high population density spread across a modest land area. The township is crisscrossed by major highways and has a train station on the Raritan Valley Line with ample parking, supporting commuters who work in Newark or New York City. The community has seen steady population growth in recent census counts, and the housing market reflects the regional demand. Home values in the area are above the national benchmark, and rental costs consume a notable share of household income. Buying a home in Union is meaningfully more expensive than the national typical home value, and anyone considering a move should weigh the local market against their budget. The area combines suburban density with access to transit, a university, and a mix of historic landmarks and industrial employment.
For a family considering Connecticut Farms Elementary, the most salient factors are the mixed academic picture by grade level, the ongoing district reorganization that affects grade configurations and program offerings, and the diverse, economically varied student body common to a dense suburban community in northern New Jersey. A parent would be wise to ask the school directly about how it supports third graders who arrive below proficiency and about how the new world language program and facility upgrades are being implemented on the ground.
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