Best Schools in West Caldwell, New Jersey
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 3 High
Choosing a school in West Caldwell?
Use this page to compare every school in West Caldwell 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.
Wilson Elementary School
Elementary · Caldwell-west School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Essex Valley School
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
James Caldwell High School
High · Caldwell-west 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 West Caldwell for 2026 are Wilson Elementary School (8.1/10), Essex Valley School (7.0/10), and James Caldwell High School (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$667,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$667,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in West Caldwell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilson Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Essex Valley School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | James Caldwell High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Essex County West Caldwell Tech | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Jefferson Elementary School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Washington Elementary 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $148,645
- Median home value
- $667,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How West Caldwell compares
New Jersey rank
#187 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.0
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$149k
126% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in West Caldwell, New Jersey
West Caldwell, New Jersey is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, , and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in West Caldwell 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 West Caldwell is Wilson Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
West Caldwell is served by 2 school districts: Caldwell-West School District, Essex County Schools of Technology. These districts collectively serve 4,630 students.
West Caldwell's community shows 65% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $148,645. 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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 226 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 256 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.9 |
| 3 | 37 students · Pre-K–1st | 5.2 |
| 4 | 402 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 772 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 | ||
| 2 | 349 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 | ||
| 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 | Essex Valley School
Private
67 students · 6th–12th | 7.0 | ||
Schools in West Caldwell
West Caldwell, New Jersey · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$148,645
Median Home Value
$667,300
Median Rent
$1,973/mo
Population
26,417
College Educated
65%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Community Profile
West Caldwell has a median household income of $148,645. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $667,300, with a median rent of $1,973/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
- 4
- High
- 3
Resources
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 West Caldwell, New Jersey
How many schools are in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
West Caldwell has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in West Caldwell is 6.3 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 West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in West Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Wilson Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in West Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Wilson Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in West Caldwell on MySchoolScout is Essex Valley School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve West Caldwell, New Jersey?
West Caldwell is served by 2 school districts: Caldwell-west School District, Essex County Schools of Technology.
What is the education level in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 65% of adults in West Caldwell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The median household income in West Caldwell is approximately $148,645 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
Yes, West Caldwell has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Essex Valley School with a score of 7.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in West Caldwell, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in West Caldwell is 9.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in West Caldwell, 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.