Skip to main content

Very Good

#696 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 28% 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

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Brunswick

#5 of 12

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#439 of 1,496

In district

#5 of 11

East Brunswick Township School District

Equity

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School serves 351 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in East Brunswick, New Jersey. This regular public school maintains an excellent 10:1 student-teacher ratio with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, creating intimate learning environments where each child receives personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #186 out of 2,475 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.

Students achieve solid results in core subjects, with 69% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 66% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These scores reflect the school's academic score of 8.7 out of 10. Central Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent, education-focused community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $138,166 and maintains a low poverty rate of just 4%. Families in the area demonstrate strong investment in education, with median home values reaching $462,600. Located on Cranbury Road in this thriving suburban community of nearly 50,000 residents, Central Elementary School provides quality elementary education in an environment that values academic achievement and community engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+15.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,278

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.9%
School
State
46.6%
ELA Proficiency 69.1%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
72%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
69.4%
ELA
69.3%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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. Irwin Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lawrence Brook Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Frost Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 5.7
Irwin Elementary School East Brunswick 0.8 mi 8.5
South River Primary School South River 0.7 mi 5.2
Hammarskjold Upper Elementary School East Brunswick 1.1 mi 8.1
South River Middle School South River 0.9 mi 4.7
South River Elementary School South River 1.0 mi 6.3
South River High School South River 1.0 mi 2.9
East Brunswick Magnet School East Brunswick 1.3 mi 6.4
DARUL ARQAM SCHOOL South River 1.3 mi 7.7
Memorial Elementary School East Brunswick 1.1 mi 6.1
ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL East Brunswick 1.3 mi 5.5
Frost Elementary School East Brunswick 1.7 mi 7.0
Churchill Junior High School East Brunswick 1.7 mi 6.3
Chittick Elementary School East Brunswick 1.4 mi 5.8
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 7.1
G Austin Schoenly Elementary School Spotswood 2.3 mi 4.2
Parkview School Milltown 1.9 mi 6.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $141,731. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $502,600, with a median rent of $2,079/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bedminster Township Public School Bedminster, NJ 7.3
Briarwood School Florham Park, NJ 7.3
Chairville Elementary School Medford, NJ 7.3
Green Hills School Greendell, NJ 7.3
Hatchery Hill Elementary School Hackettstown, NJ 7.3
John Brainerd Elementary School Mount Holly, NJ 7.3

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 is ranked #696 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 64.9% math proficiency and 69.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.