The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Math. The lowest is 60% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mckinley Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School serves students in first through fifth grade and is one of the elementary schools in the Westfield Public School District, located in Union County, New Jersey. The school is a regular public school and is not a charter or magnet institution. Because it serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the picture of its academic performance comes from state testing.
In the most recent testing cycle, McKinley’s results place it well above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Union County. Across the tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index lands in the top quartile of the comparison set, which includes all districts in the county. This is a strong signal that the school is delivering academic results that are meaningfully higher than many of its neighbors.
Looking at the subject-level data, math proficiency is consistently solid across the three tested grade levels. The strongest showing is in fourth grade, where a large majority of students met the state’s proficiency standard. Third and fifth grade math results are also strong, though slightly lower than the fourth grade mark. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: fourth grade stands out as the highest, with third and fifth grade trailing a bit behind. Science is tested only in fifth grade, and while the proficiency rate is lower than the math and ELA results for that grade, it remains within a range that suggests the school is performing well overall.
The enrollment is in the mid-range for an elementary school in this area. The student body is predominantly white, with Asian and Hispanic students each making up a noticeable share, and a smaller representation of students who identify as two or more races. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, which aligns with the broader economic profile of Westfield itself. The town is a wealthy residential community, with a median household income that is more than double the statewide median, and it functions largely as a bedroom community for New York City. Housing values in the area are high, and the rental market is expensive, which means the school’s student population reflects a relatively affluent catchment area.
Downtown Westfield is a walkable, established commercial core with a mix of independent stores and restaurants, many of which have been in business for a long time. The town has a strong sense of place, with a train station that provides access to Manhattan and Newark, and a calendar of community events that includes outdoor summer concerts and seasonal festivals. Public schools in Westfield are situated in residential neighborhoods rather than downtown, which is typical for the area.
The district brief did not turn up any recent parent-relevant changes such as referendums or curriculum overhauls. This is not unusual for a stable, well-established district where major shifts are infrequent.
McKinley Elementary presents as a high-performing school in a wealthy suburb. A parent looking at this school should expect strong academic outcomes, a student body that is majority white with some diversity, and a community context where housing costs are a significant barrier to entry. The school is a good fit for families who are already in the Westfield housing market and who value a school with a track record of proficiency that ranks among the best in its county. For families who are not yet in the area, the affordability question will be the first and most important one to resolve.
See more original research from School Decision →