The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 56% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Washington Elementary
Washington Elementary is one of nine elementary schools serving Union Township, a densely settled suburban community in Union County, New Jersey. The school serves pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and operates as a regular public school within the Township of Union School District. With an enrollment of just over 550 students, it is a mid-sized elementary school for its grade band.
The student body is notably diverse. Hispanic or Latino students form the largest group, followed by Black or African American students and White students. Asian students also make up a meaningful share, along with students who identify as two or more races. Roughly three in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a marker of economic need that sits around the middle for a school in this part of New Jersey.
On the most recent New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, Washington Elementary’s results placed its overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades above the midpoint when compared to other districts in Union County. In third-grade math, the school’s proficiency rate was broadly in line with the county median, while fourth-grade math was a softer spot where the share of students reaching proficiency was notably lower. In English language arts, the school performed consistently across both tested grades, with a moderate majority of third graders and a stronger majority of fourth graders scoring proficient or above. A family looking at these results will see a school that is generally performing solidly on a countywide basis, with the fourth-grade math number being the one area where a parent may want to ask the school how it supports students who are below that bar.
Washington Elementary is a neighborhood school within a district that is undergoing significant change. In the 2025-2026 school year, the district implemented a reorganization plan. Jefferson School, which previously served only fifth graders, reopened as a full PreK-5 primary school. All other elementary buildings, including Washington, now serve PreK-4. This means that after fourth grade, students from Washington move to a different building for fifth grade at Jefferson, then proceed to one of the district’s two middle schools for sixth grade. As part of the same reorganization, all elementary schools began offering Spanish instruction for every student in grades K-4, a new curriculum offering that adds to the school’s academic program.
The district also secured funding for a facilities bond that voters approved, financing roof replacements, security vestibules at school entrances, HVAC upgrades, and other improvements across all ten schools. These projects are in progress and will affect the physical learning environment at Washington over the next several years.
Union Township itself is a suburban area with a mix of residential neighborhoods, industrial zones, and commercial corridors along Route 22 and Morris Avenue. It is home to Kean University, which is a major employer and an institutional anchor. The township’s population has grown steadily in recent years, and its housing market is competitive. The typical home value in the area is high relative to the national average, and rents are also elevated, reflecting the broader cost pressures of the region. The community is served by NJ Transit rail and bus service, and Newark Liberty International Airport is nearby.
Washington Elementary does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Data on special education enrollment and English learner status was not available in the materials reviewed, which means a parent with a child who may need those supports should ask the district directly about available services and staffing. The school does not have charter or magnet status, and no Title I designation was provided, so its specific funding status within the federal program is unclear from the available data.
For a family considering Washington Elementary, the picture is of a solidly performing neighborhood school in a diverse, growing suburban community. The school’s academic results are generally above the middle of the pack among its county peers, with the fourth-grade math outcome being the one notable question mark. The district’s recent reorganization and facility investments signal a system that is actively restructuring and upgrading, which affects building assignments and the experience a family can expect over the elementary years. The cost of housing in Union is high, and the school’s size and student body reflect the township’s demographic mix. A family looking for a small, intimate elementary setting may want to consider that Washington is a school of several hundred students, a typical size for a district elementary school in this area.
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