Excellent
#69 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 3% in state
Central Avenue School
Elementary School · Madison Public School District
50 CENTRAL AVENUE, Madison, NJ 07940
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Madison
#2 of 5
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#48 of 1,496
In district
#2 of 5
Madison Public School District
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Avenue School
Central Avenue School serves 498 students across pre-K through fifth grade as a regular public school in Madison, New Jersey. It earns an Exceptional rating with a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, built on a 9.0 Academic score and a 9.8 Growth score — indicating that students make strong, consistent learning gains year over year. Central Avenue ranks #20 out of 2,463 public schools in New Jersey, outperforming 99 percent of schools statewide.
Among elementary schools specifically, it places #10 out of 1,496 in New Jersey. Within Madison, it holds the top position among all five public schools. Very few elementary schools in the state combine this level of academic achievement with growth results this strong.
A 10.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio gives each child more direct access to instruction — a structural factor that likely reinforces the school's strong growth numbers. For families evaluating elementary options in Madison, the data is unambiguous: Central Avenue is the highest-rated school in town and ranks among the top ten elementary schools in all of New Jersey.
Score Breakdown
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Central Avenue School — Students at Central Avenue School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
3.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.
How Central Avenue School Compares
See how Central Avenue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 74% (2022).
Location
50 CENTRAL AVENUE, Madison, NJ 07940
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Avenue School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Torey J. Sabatini School (rated 9.0/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Washington Avenue School (rated 8.9/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Chatham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kings Road School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Madison, see our Madison schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST VINCENT MARTYR SCHOOL Madison | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| MADISON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Madison | 0.4 mi | — |
| RAINBOW MONTESSORI Madison | 0.3 mi | — |
| Madison Junior School Madison | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Madison High School Madison | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Kings Road School Madison | 1.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Torey J. Sabatini School Madison | 0.9 mi | 9.0 |
| Ridgedale Middle School Florham Park | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| CHATHAM DAY SCHOOL Chatham | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Chatham Middle School Chatham | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| THE MONTESSORI CHILDRENS ACADEMY Florham Park | 1.8 mi | — |
| MAGIC KINGDOM DAY NURSERY Florham Park | 1.5 mi | — |
| Southern Boulevard School Chatham | 2.1 mi | 8.2 |
| ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH Convent Station | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Chatham High School Chatham | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Lafayette Avenue School Chatham | 2.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Briarwood School Florham Park | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Washington Avenue School Chatham | 2.1 mi | 8.9 |
| THE MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY OF CHATHAM Chatham | 2.1 mi | — |
| Brooklake School Florham Park | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07940 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$168,520
Median Home Value
$883,200
Median Rent
$2,248/mo
Population
17,675
College Educated
70.7%
Homeownership
64.2%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
35.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Avenue School has a median household income of $168,520. It is a well-educated community where 71% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $883,200, with a median rent of $2,248/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School East Hanover, NJ | 8.9 |
| Liberty Corner School Liberty Corner, NJ | 8.9 |
| Mary E. Roberts Elementary School Moorestown, NJ | 8.9 |
| Stony Brook Elementary School Rockaway, NJ | 8.9 |
| Asher Holmes Elementary School Morganville, NJ | 8.8 |
| Central Elementary School Wall, NJ | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Avenue School
What grades does Central Avenue School serve?
Central Avenue School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Avenue School?
Central Avenue School has an enrollment of approximately 498 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Avenue School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Avenue School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Avenue School rank in NJ?
Central Avenue School is ranked #69 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Central Avenue School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Avenue School has a composite rating of 8.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Central Avenue School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Avenue School has 67.8% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Avenue School a charter school?
No, Central Avenue School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Avenue School a Title I school?
No, Central Avenue School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Avenue School?
3.6% of students at Central Avenue School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Madison). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 498
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 3.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Morris County
- Phone
- (973) 593-3173
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Madison Public School District- District Enrollment
- 2,485
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $24,792
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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