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Washington Park Elementary School

Public | 3-8 | 640 students

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 3 ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
No new ratings

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10 reviews of this school


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Posted May 6, 2013

Superintendent is not nice. Principal is his puppet. Staff only tells you what the Superintendent wants you to know. Rude, clicky parents and students. Such a shame that the BOE is letting the Superintendent stay till 2017. State is involved in this school all the time cause of wrong doings towards students.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 25, 2013

I'm glad I did not pay too much attention to the school's negative ratings. This school is GREAT!! Everything about it is Great. The staff, the kids, the cleanliness, and organization. We moved from Miami to Totowa and the staff gave my daughter V.I.P treatment on her first day of school. The principal, school nurse, guidance counselor.....all introduce themselves to us and gave her a tour of the school. Since the first day, the teachers and office staff have been very helpful and respond to my emails quickly. My daughter has been in 4 different schools in FL and Washington Park Elem. has been the BEST one that she has attended. I wish I was a child again so I could I attend this school. : )
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 28, 2013

Worst experience ever with a school. Superintendent has a god complex. They do not follow state laws or guidelines for special education children. The PTA is no better. More parents need to know they can get outside help to deal with this school. In our case we had to go all the way to the state.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 18, 2012

This is a great school. My kids advanced to above average thanks to the best teachers here.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2008

The discipline here is very bad. They don't listen they just get students in trouble. And if your child is new here the other students aren't welcoming and will make fun of the newbie. I dislike my child going to this school, and she feels threatened by certain students and she's lived here and went to school here her whole life. The children in this school are bad influences and are very departed from others. This school and the children in it are in bad shape.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2008

The parent who wrote about the school being clickie is right on the money. The parents don't accept newbies and neither do their children. I can't wait to get of this town either. If your child didn't start here in pre-k then you and your child are outsiders. It's really pretty sad.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 23, 2007

The parents and kids are not very welcoming to new people.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 6, 2007

We recently moved to the area and my child began attending WP school. My child has had a difficult two years, the children are not accepting of new kids, they made fun and picked on him daily. The school is extremely clickie and as an outsider who did not grow up in the area, myself and my child are treated like such. The PTO has a TON of fund raisers (seems excessive). After school PAL sports programs are ok, but again clickie and downright rude parents. One must wonder if the children learn from the parents, I cannot wait to move to get my son into a more healthy accepting environment.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 29, 2007

This is a grades 3-8 middle school that has no lunchtime recess. The school owns a number of instruments that children who sign up on a first come-first served basis may use. The instrumental program is seeing improvement. There is an Art program for those who are artistically gifted. All of the afterschool extracurricular programs are for sports or the musical. There are no extracurricular academic activities or clubs. There is very little parental involvement. Only the select few PTO members are allowed in the school during the day for any special PTO sponsored events. There is a district 'policy' that does not allow the teachers to assign projects to be completed at home. All 'projects' have to be done in school with the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 16, 2007

The academics are acceptable from what I have experienced. The kids don't get enough physical exercise. The school has started shop and home ec. at the all grade levels which is great. There is quite a few extracurricular activities for 5-8th grades but nothing for 3rd and 4th. They have drama, ski club, intramural sports, music so there is something for most kids. There is no level of parental involvement. There is a PTO and they are great and do alot, but other than that parents are not encouraged to participate at all. There is no chance to observe in the classroom or volunteer programs for parents to assist in. Test scores are down, definitely room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 67% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
68%

2011

 
 
52%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
52%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
70%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 59% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
54%

2011

 
 
61%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
61%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
71%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
97%

2009

 
 
95%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 62% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
70%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2012.

112 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
63%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 65% in 2012.

109 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
71%

2010

 
 
80%

2009

 
 
64%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

109 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
65%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 61% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 63% in 2012.

92 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
63%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
60%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 82% in 2012.

115 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
90%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
92%
Math

The state average for Math was 72% in 2012.

115 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
80%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
74%
Science

The state average for Science was 82% in 2012.

115 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
88%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students68%
Female69%
Male67%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic59%
White70%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged69%
Special educationn/a
General education72%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant68%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students80%
Female80%
Male79%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic65%
White83%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Special educationn/a
General education82%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant80%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students54%
Female76%
Male42%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic63%
White52%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantaged53%
Special educationn/a
General education61%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant54%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students75%
Female82%
Male70%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic74%
White74%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Special educationn/a
General education81%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant75%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Science

All Students96%
Female94%
Male97%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic90%
White97%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged95%
Non-economically disadvantaged96%
Special educationn/a
General education98%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant96%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students65%
Female66%
Male65%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
White65%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged59%
Non-economically disadvantaged68%
Special educationn/a
General education70%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant65%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students86%
Female82%
Male90%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic76%
White88%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged85%
Non-economically disadvantaged86%
Special educationn/a
General education91%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant86%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students73%
Female75%
Male70%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic67%
Pacific Islandern/a
White73%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Special education25%
General education81%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant73%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students78%
Female82%
Male74%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic83%
Pacific Islandern/a
White77%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged70%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Special education38%
General education86%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant78%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students69%
Female67%
Male70%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic61%
American Indiann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White68%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged65%
Non-economically disadvantaged70%
Special educationn/a
General education73%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant69%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students63%
Female64%
Male62%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic70%
American Indiann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
White58%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged57%
Non-economically disadvantaged65%
Special educationn/a
General education68%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant63%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students90%
Female88%
Male93%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic83%
Pacific Islandern/a
White92%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged82%
Non-economically disadvantaged92%
Special education46%
General education95%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant90%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students80%
Female72%
Male87%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic70%
White82%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged77%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Special education18%
General education86%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant80%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Science

All Students87%
Female81%
Male93%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic83%
Pacific Islandern/a
White90%
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged76%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Special education36%
General education92%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant87%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 59% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Biology I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
General educationn/a
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrantn/a
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 71% 52%
Hispanic 20% 22%
Asian 7% 9%
Black 2% 16%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 0% 0%
Two or more races 0% 1%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 18%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/A12
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Mr John Vanderberg

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Title I Targeted Assistance program (TAS)
School leaders can update this information here.

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10 Crews Street
Totowa, NJ 07512
Phone: (973) 956-0010

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