Best Schools in Rutherford, New Jersey
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Rutherford?
Use this page to compare every school in Rutherford 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.
Union School
Middle · Rutherford School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pierrepont School
Middle · Rutherford School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington School
Elementary · Rutherford 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 Rutherford for 2026 are Union School (8.8/10), Pierrepont School (8.2/10), and Washington School (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$580,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.7
out of 10
Median Home
$580,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Rutherford
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Pierrepont School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Washington School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Rutherford High School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Lincoln School | 4.6 / 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
- 6.7/10
- Median household income
- $136,069
- Median home value
- $580,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59%
- Avg commute
- 35 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rutherford compares
New Jersey rank
#136 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$136k
115% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Rutherford, New Jersey
Rutherford, New Jersey is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.7 out of 10, schools in Rutherford 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 Rutherford is Union School with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rutherford is served by 1 school district: Rutherford School District. These districts collectively serve 2,544 students.
Rutherford's community shows 59% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $136,069. The poverty rate in the area is 4.8%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · 1st–3rd | 6.5 |
| 2 | 484 students · Pre-K–3rd | 4.6 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 384 students · 7th–8th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 568 students · 4th–6th | 8.2 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 736 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Rutherford
Rutherford, New Jersey · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$136,069
Median Home Value
$580,800
Median Rent
$1,859/mo
Population
18,748
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
35 min
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Community Profile
Rutherford has a median household income of $136,069. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,800, with a median rent of $1,859/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 2
- 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 Rutherford, New Jersey
How many schools are in Rutherford, New Jersey?
Rutherford has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rutherford is 6.7 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 Rutherford, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Rutherford on MySchoolScout is Union School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rutherford on MySchoolScout is Washington School with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Rutherford on MySchoolScout is Union School with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best high school in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Rutherford on MySchoolScout is Rutherford High School with a composite score of 5.3/10.
How many school districts serve Rutherford, New Jersey?
Rutherford is served by 1 school district: Rutherford School District.
What is the education level in Rutherford, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 59% of adults in Rutherford have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The median household income in Rutherford is approximately $136,069 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rutherford, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rutherford is 11.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rutherford, 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.