Westfield Schools Show High Success In Latest Statewide Evaluations

WESTFIELD, NJ — Students at Westfield Public Schools are being applauded for earning high marks on statewide standardized assessments this year.

Dr. Matthew Bolton, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, addressed the school community at the Board of Education's latest meeting and presented a recap of results from the Spring 2025 evaluations in three subjects: English Language Arts (ELA), Math, and Science.

New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) and DLM (Dynamic Learning Map) assessments were evaluated. The scores are then compared against similar-aged students in other parts of the state.

ELA assessments are conducted on an annual basis for grades three through nine. Math tests are also held each year and end at Eighth Grade.

Science evaluations are done when students reach grades five, eight, and 11.

"We are either at, or beyond, pre-COVID levels in just about all areas," Bolton added to illustrate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on hands-on education. "We've rebounded completely from something significant and that had a negative impact on our students' learning."

K-12 Supervisor of ELA at Westfield Schools Elizabeth Reilly, K-12 Supervisor of Mathematics Elizabeth Delasandro, and Thomas Patterson, K-12 Supervisor of Science all joined Bolton to break down results in their respective areas.

Points of note:

• 79.2 percent of Westfield students in Eighth Grade met or exceeded projected results on the ELA assessments as compared to just 57.1 percent statewide
• 83 percent of Fourth Grade students met or exceeded the projected results in math as compared to just 46.7 percent statewide
• 61.4 percent of Fifth Grade students met or exceeded projected results for science assessments as compared to just 30.1 percent statewide

Along with district-wide macro elements, parents also received Individual Score Reports (ISR) that calculate students' performance on a scale ranging from 650 to 850.

The leaders who spoke at the meeting pointed out that parents should be very proud of how Westfield students stood out on both an individual and group level. The data showed definitive results, they said, that illustrated academic growth.

"Our teachers are constantly looking, constantly reviewing, constantly evaluating not just in response to one test but throughout the year," Bolton added while speaking on the team effort that contributed to these results.

"That takes a lot more work on top of the regular teaching day-to-day," he continued, "so thank you all for doing that and for putting our kids first."

Full Annual Statewide Assessments Performance Report

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