The top reported proficiency rate is 77% in English language arts. The lowest is 61% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Tamaques Elementary School
Tamaques Elementary School serves students in first through fifth grade in Westfield, New Jersey, a town whose character as a wealthy residential bedroom community of New York City shapes much of what a family considering this school should know. The school is a regular public elementary school within the Westfield Public School District, and it sits on a campus in a residential neighborhood, like the district’s other elementary schools, rather than in the downtown core.
On state assessments, Tamaques posts results that place it among the strongest elementary schools in Union County. The school lands in the top quartile of districts across the county for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In both math and English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above is consistently high across grades three, four, and five. Fourth graders, for example, show particularly strong results in ELA, and math proficiency remains solid across all three tested grades. In science, the proficiency rate for fifth graders, the only grade tested in that subject, is also well above typical county levels. A parent looking at these numbers would see a school where the vast majority of students meet state standards, and where performance is a clear strength relative to the surrounding area.
The student body numbers about average for an elementary school serving this grade band. The composition is predominantly white, with Asian students making up the next largest group, followed by smaller shares of Hispanic, Black, and multiracial students. The economic profile is distinctive: only a very small fraction of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the affluence of the community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records examined, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
The town of Westfield itself is central to understanding this school. It is a high-income community with a median household income more than double the state median. Downtown Westfield has a walkable core with over 40 restaurants, independent shops, and year-round events like summer jazz and seasonal festivals. The train station provides direct rail access to Manhattan and Newark, and most residents commute out of town for work. Housing in the area around the school carries a very high price tag for both purchase and rent, and the market has seen steady appreciation. Rents are also elevated, making the town accessible mainly to families with substantial financial resources. The town’s growth is slow and incremental, with redevelopment focused on infill projects like the former Lord & Taylor site rather than new subdivisions.
No parent-relevant changes, such as referendums, curriculum shifts, or tax adjustments, were found in the available district research, so the picture is one of continuity. No program offerings, extracurriculars, or special academic pathways are reported for this school, which is typical for an elementary school where the core curriculum is the focus.
Overall, Tamaques Elementary offers a strong academic foundation in a community where high socioeconomic status and high housing costs go hand in hand. The peer environment is one of very low poverty and a predominantly white student body with meaningful Asian representation. For a family that can afford to live in Westfield and values consistently high test scores in a well-resourced, stable suburban setting, this school fits that brief. A family concerned about economic diversity or seeking a broader range of income backgrounds among classmates would find the student body unusually homogeneous in that regard. The absence of data on special education and English learner services is worth a direct conversation with the school, as those are common points of inquiry for any elementary school.
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