Best Schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in North Plainfield?
Use this page to compare every school in North Plainfield by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
North Plainfield Middle School
Middle · North Plainfield School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West End School
Elementary · North Plainfield School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Somerset School
Middle · North Plainfield School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in North Plainfield for 2026 are North Plainfield Middle School (8.2/10), West End School (7.3/10), and Somerset School (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$288,933
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$288,933
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in North Plainfield
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Plainfield Middle School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | West End School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Somerset School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Sundance School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Stony Brook School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 6 | East End School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | North Plainfield High School | 4.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $71,594
- Median home value
- $288,933
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 66%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How North Plainfield compares
New Jersey rank
#144 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$72k
61% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey
North Plainfield, New Jersey is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in North Plainfield show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in North Plainfield is North Plainfield Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
North Plainfield is served by 1 school district: North Plainfield School District. These districts collectively serve 3,701 students.
North Plainfield's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $71,594. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 537 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 277 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.3 | ||
| 3 | 476 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.1 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sundance School
Private
30 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 | ||
| 2 | The Giving Nest Preschool
Private
14 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 522 students · 7th–8th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 499 students · 5th–6th | 7.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,199 students · 9th–12th | 4.8 |
Schools in North Plainfield
North Plainfield, New Jersey · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$71,594
Median Home Value
$288,933
Median Rent
$1,686/mo
Population
62,419
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
66%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Community Profile
North Plainfield has a median household income of $71,594. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $288,933, with a median rent of $1,686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey
How many schools are in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
North Plainfield has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in North Plainfield is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in North Plainfield on MySchoolScout is North Plainfield Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in North Plainfield on MySchoolScout is West End School with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best middle school in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in North Plainfield on MySchoolScout is North Plainfield Middle School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best high school in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in North Plainfield on MySchoolScout is North Plainfield High School with a composite score of 4.8/10.
How many school districts serve North Plainfield, New Jersey?
North Plainfield is served by 1 school district: North Plainfield School District.
What is the education level in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in North Plainfield have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The median household income in North Plainfield is approximately $71,594 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
Yes, North Plainfield has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sundance School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in North Plainfield is 9.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in North Plainfield, New Jersey?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.