Best Schools in South Plainfield, New Jersey
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in South Plainfield?
Use this page to compare every school in South 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.
John E. Riley Elementary School
Elementary · South Plainfield School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Franklin Elementary School
Elementary · South Plainfield School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Holy Savior Academy
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in South Plainfield for 2026 are John E. Riley Elementary School (8.1/10), Franklin Elementary School (8.1/10), and Holy Savior Academy (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$444,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$444,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in South Plainfield
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John E. Riley Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Franklin Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Holy Savior Academy | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | South Plainfield Middle School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Roosevelt Elementary School | 7.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Grant Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | John F Kennedy Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 8 | South Plainfield High School | 5.1 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $126,161
- Median home value
- $444,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
63% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How South Plainfield compares
New Jersey rank
#101 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$126k
107% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in South Plainfield, New Jersey
South Plainfield, New Jersey is home to 9 schools, including 7 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 7.0 out of 10, schools in South 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 South Plainfield is John E. Riley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
South Plainfield is served by 1 school district: South Plainfield School District. These districts collectively serve 3,694 students.
South Plainfield's community shows 42% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $126,161. The poverty rate in the area is 3.5%.
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 | 364 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 264 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.1 | ||
| 3 | 475 students · Pre-K–4th | 7.3 | ||
| 4 | 259 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.3 | ||
| 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 | Holy Savior Academy
Private
111 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 503 students · 7th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 543 students · 5th–6th | 6.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,091 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lil Big Ones
Private
4 students · UG–UG | — |
Schools in South Plainfield
South Plainfield, New Jersey · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$126,161
Median Home Value
$444,100
Median Rent
$1,928/mo
Population
24,215
College Educated
42%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
South Plainfield has a median household income of $126,161. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,100, with a median rent of $1,928/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 South Plainfield, New Jersey
How many schools are in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
South Plainfield has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in South Plainfield is 7.0 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 South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in South Plainfield on MySchoolScout is John E. Riley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in South Plainfield on MySchoolScout is John E. Riley Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in South Plainfield on MySchoolScout is South Plainfield Middle School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in South Plainfield on MySchoolScout is South Plainfield High School with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve South Plainfield, New Jersey?
South Plainfield is served by 1 school district: South Plainfield School District.
What is the education level in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 42% of adults in South Plainfield have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The median household income in South Plainfield is approximately $126,161 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
Yes, South Plainfield has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Holy Savior Academy with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in South Plainfield, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in South Plainfield is 9.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in South 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.