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Average

#1002 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 41% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · East Brunswick Township School District

371 CRANBURY ROAD, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Enrollment

351

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,002 of 2,466

In East Brunswick

#7 of 13

public schools

In district

#6 of 11

East Brunswick Township School District

Equity

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

6.8/10

Elementary School in East Brunswick · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

East Brunswick High School

5.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Irwin Elementary School

8.6/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in East Brunswick, NJ, part of East Brunswick Township School District. Central Elementary School serves approximately 351 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,002 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 7.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.7 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,586
Chronic Absenteeism16.2%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 73.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 72.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
91%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
89%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
64%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
69.4%
ELA
69.3%
2025
Math
72.6%
ELA
65.6%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
7.2/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

371 CRANBURY ROAD, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frost Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Irwin Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chittick Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in East Brunswick, see our East Brunswick schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
East Brunswick High School East Brunswick 0.3 mi 5.3
Irwin Elementary School East Brunswick 0.8 mi 8.6
South River Primary School South River 0.7 mi 5.1
Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School East Brunswick 1.1 mi 6.8
South River Middle School South River 0.9 mi 4.5
South River Elementary School South River 1.0 mi 4.6
South River High School South River 1.0 mi 4.0
East Brunswick Magnet School East Brunswick 1.3 mi 6.9
DARUL ARQAM SCHOOL South River 1.3 mi 7.7
Memorial Elementary School East Brunswick 1.1 mi 6.2
ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL East Brunswick 1.3 mi 5.5
Frost Elementary School East Brunswick 1.7 mi 9.1
Churchill Junior High School East Brunswick 1.7 mi 5.9
Chittick Elementary School East Brunswick 1.4 mi 7.4
YESHIVAT NETIVOT MONTESSORI East Brunswick 1.4 mi 6.2
UNITARIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL East Brunswick 1.8 mi
CROSSROADS EARLY LEARNING CENTER East Brunswick 2.1 mi
Lawrence Brook Elementary School East Brunswick 2.0 mi 6.7
G Austin Schoenly Elementary School Spotswood 2.3 mi 4.1
Parkview School Milltown 1.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08816 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$141,731

Median Home Value

$502,600

Median Rent

$2,079/mo

Population

48,965

College Educated

57.9%

Homeownership

80.5%

Avg Commute

37.9 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Albert Payson Terhune Elementary Wayne, NJ 6.8
Applegarth Elementary School Monroe Twp, NJ 6.8
Bartle Elementary School Highland Park, NJ 6.8
Broad Street Elementary School Gibbstown, NJ 6.8
Clifton Ave Grade School Lakewood, NJ 6.8
Dickerson Elementary School Chester, NJ 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 351 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in NJ?

Central Elementary School ranks #1,002 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

21.4% of students at Central Elementary 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.2%

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