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5.7 avg / 10

Best Schools in Plainfield, New Jersey

21 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 4 Other

Public: 19
Private: 2
Districts: 6
Avg Rating: 5.7/10
Estimated Scores: 5%

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
5.7/10

5% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$85,144

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$368,867

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
25%

Adults 25+

Avg commute
31 min

Workers age 16+

Owner-occupied homes
54%

Of occupied housing units

How Plainfield compares

New Jersey rank

#245 of 344

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.6

below New Jersey avg (6.3)

Median household income

$85k

72% of New Jersey median

Schools in this city

19

About Schools in Plainfield, New Jersey

Plainfield, New Jersey is home to 21 schools, including 19 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Plainfield show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Plainfield is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Plainfield is served by 6 school districts. These districts collectively serve 13,406 students.

Plainfield's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $85,144. The poverty rate in the area is 15.1%.

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

11 schools
# School Rating
1 144 students · Kindergarten–5th 8.3
2 392 students · Pre-K–5th 6.7
3 331 students · Kindergarten–5th 6.7
4 390 students · Pre-K–5th 6.4
5 604 students · Kindergarten–7th 6.3
6 663 students · Kindergarten–8th 6.0
7 424 students · Kindergarten–5th 5.9
8 422 students · Kindergarten–5th 4.8
9 423 students · Kindergarten–5th 4.8
10 540 students · Pre-K–5th 4.8
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 12 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten Not Rated

Middle Schools

2 schools
# School Rating
1 771 students · 6th–8th 6.0
2 798 students · 6th–8th 5.9

High Schools

4 schools
# School Rating
1 345 students · 7th–12th 6.0
2 311 students · 6th–12th 4.8
3 2,145 students · 9th–12th 3.8
4 70 students · 9th–12th

Other Schools

4 schools
# School Rating
1 300 students · Kindergarten–12th 5.9
2 1,428 students · Kindergarten–12th 5.9
3 326 students · Kindergarten–12th 4.0
Private Schools 1 school

Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.

1 271 students · Pre-K–12th Not Rated

Schools in Plainfield

Plainfield, New Jersey · 21 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes

Median Income

$85,144

Median Home Value

$368,867

Median Rent

$1,722/mo

Population

77,111

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

54%

Avg Commute

31 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Community Profile

Plainfield has a median household income of $85,144. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $368,867, with a median rent of $1,722/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
21
Elementary
11
Middle
2
High
4
Districts
6
Avg Rating
5.7/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Plainfield, New Jersey

How many schools are in Plainfield, New Jersey?

Plainfield has 21 schools, including 19 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Plainfield is 5.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The top-ranked school in Plainfield on MySchoolScout is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The top-ranked elementary school in Plainfield on MySchoolScout is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.

What is the best middle school in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The top-ranked middle school in Plainfield on MySchoolScout is Hubbard Middle School with a composite score of 6.0/10.

What is the best high school in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The top-ranked high school in Plainfield on MySchoolScout is Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies with a composite score of 6.0/10.

How many school districts serve Plainfield, New Jersey?

Plainfield is served by 6 school districts: The Queen City Academy Charter School District, Union County Teams Charter School-high School/college La, The Barack Obama Green Charter High School District, College Achieve Central Charter School, Cresthaven Academy Charter School, Plainfield Public School District.

What is the education level in Plainfield, New Jersey?

According to Census data, 25% of adults in Plainfield have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The median household income in Plainfield is approximately $85,144 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Plainfield, New Jersey?

Yes, Plainfield has 2 private schools alongside 19 public schools. The top-rated private school is Koinonia Academy with a score of 6.1/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Plainfield, New Jersey?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Plainfield is 14.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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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.