The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in English language arts. The lowest is 40% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Edison Intermediate School
Thomas Edison Intermediate School sits in Westfield, a wealthy suburban town within commuting distance of New York City, and serves as the public middle school for grades six through eight within the Westfield Public School District. The school enrolls a student body that is large for a middle school, and the composition predominantly reflects the surrounding community: a substantial majority of students are white, with the next largest groups being Asian and Hispanic students, and very small shares of Black students and students of two or more races. The share of students from low-income households, measured by free or reduced-price meal eligibility, is very small, which aligns with the town’s overall high income profile.
Academically, the school performs at a strong level across most tested subjects and grades when compared to other districts in Union County. Its overall proficiency index, which averages the reported proficiency rates across all tested grades and subjects, places it in the top tier among the county’s nearly thirty districts. In English language arts, the share of students meeting or exceeding state standards is high across all three grades, with a particularly strong showing in eighth grade. Math results are mixed by grade: sixth- and seventh-grade students also perform at a high level, but eighth-grade math proficiency drops notably lower, sitting below the school’s own averages in other grades and subjects. Science results for eighth graders, the only grade tested in that subject, show that about two out of five students scored at a proficient level when using the state’s science assessment criteria; a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the science curriculum and assessment compare to other middle schools in the area. Testing participation rates were not reported, so it is not possible to tell whether all students took the exams.
The school environment data is limited. No information was available on discipline incidents, staffing ratios, attendance, or the presence of specific academic programs such as accelerated courses or special education services. The lack of programs data means it is unclear what academic pathways exist beyond the standard curriculum. The school is a regular public school without charter or magnet status. No data on special populations like students with disabilities or English learners was reported, so families with children needing those supports should confirm direct with the school.
Westfield itself is a tightly built, affluent community with a lively downtown, strong train connections to Manhattan, and a mix of independent and chain retail. Housing values and rents are high, well above state and national medians, reflecting the desirability of the area. The town’s growth has been incremental and infill-focused; the closure of a major department store site has spurred redevelopment debates. The district brief found no recent parent-relevant changes such as curriculum shifts or referendum outcomes that would alter the school’s character.
Thomas Edison Intermediate School fits families who are looking for a middle school in an affluent suburban setting with strong academic performance in most areas, though the dip in eighth-grade math and the limited publicly available information on programs and student supports mean it is worth visiting and asking detailed questions. The student body is not economically diverse, and the school’s demographic profile closely mirrors the town. For a parent or resident weighing options, the school’s place at the top of Union County districts on overall proficiency is a clear strength, but the gaps in the data—especially around course access, staffing, and discipline—leave some questions unanswered.
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