The top reported proficiency rate is 96% in Social studies. The lowest is 47% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Barton Elementary School
Barton Elementary is a mid-sized school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Patchogue, a South Shore Long Island village that has undergone sustained revitalization centered on its downtown and waterfront. The school sits on the outskirts of this transit-oriented growth, in a neighborhood served by the Patchogue-Medford regional district that spans several hamlets.
The school's enrollment is stable, drawn from a diverse community. Nearly half the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school's racial and ethnic composition reflects Long Island's changing demographics: a substantial share of students are Hispanic, with roughly equal numbers of white students and meaningful numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial children. The school lacks reported data on students with disabilities and English learners, so a parent seeking clarity on special services or language support may want to look into this further with the district directly.
State assessment results from the most recent year show math proficiency at around six in ten for third graders and roughly six in ten for fifth graders, with fourth grade slightly lower. English language arts results are more uneven: third and fifth graders show stronger proficiency, with fifth grade approaching seven in ten, but fourth grade proficiency sits below four in ten, which is a notable soft spot. Fifth grade science proficiency is below half. Across the school, mathematics performs better than literacy, and there is variation by grade that may reflect differences in teaching, student entry, or transition effects. Compared to other elementary schools in Suffolk County, Barton's overall proficiency falls above the midpoint, placing it in the middle tier of county schools rather than among the strongest or weakest. Test participation rates vary between grades, with some fifth-grade cohorts around seven in ten tested; a parent may want to understand whether these gaps reflect absences or other attendance patterns.
The Patchogue-Medford district has made a recent and substantial commitment to school climate. Voters approved a bond referendum in 2024 to install air conditioning in all classrooms and cafeterias, upgrade high school athletic facilities, and install professional-grade sound and lighting in music and theater spaces. This work is underway and will reshape the physical learning environment over multiple years. The district also piloted and expanded a specialized curriculum for students with moderate to severe disabilities, showing reported gains on alternate state assessments. These initiatives signal district investment, though they also mean debt and tax increases that affect families choosing whether to stay or move into the district.
The school's locale offers distinct advantages. Patchogue itself has a vibrant compact downtown with restaurants, arts venues, cultural programming, and waterfront parks all within walking distance. The Long Island Rail Road connects the village to broader employment centers. For families drawn to mixed-use walkable communities with bay access and a concentrated cultural life, the setting is genuine. Schools in the district sit on separate campuses rather than in the downtown itself, and the high school is in neighboring Medford, so the everyday school experience is more suburban and car-oriented than village life might suggest.
Housing in the Patchogue zip code is moderate for Long Island, with median values near the state benchmark and rental rates reflecting broader Long Island pressure. The market has shown steady appreciation and is experiencing some inventory shift, making this an area where families are balancing urban walkability with suburban school districts and their associated tax bases.
Barton Elementary fits families seeking a diverse, community-rooted elementary school in a district investing in facilities and special education, with access to an intentionally revitalized village setting. The school's proficiency profile is middle-of-county, placing it neither as a reach nor as a concern, and its stronger math results and grade-specific variation in literacy are worth discussing directly with the school. For parents prioritizing a walkable town life alongside a stable, district-run school, the fit is clear. For those seeking top-tier test performance, other county options may be worth comparing.
See more original research from School Decision →