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Excellent

#68 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 3% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · East Hanover Township School District

400 RIDGEDALE AVENUE, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Enrollment

347

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

8.9

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Hanover

#1 of 4

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#47 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 3

East Hanover Township School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in East Hanover, NJ, part of the East Hanover Township School District. The school serves approximately 347 students in grades 3rd – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.3th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 64% proficiency in math, 19 points above the state average and 67% in reading/language arts, 18 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.2/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $144,792, where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+16.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,126

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.1%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 67.4%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
64%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
70.6%
ELA
71.4%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

400 RIDGEDALE AVENUE, East Hanover, NJ 07936

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Woodmont School (rated 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Pine Brook), with a very similar rating. Another option is Troy Hills Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Parsippany), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Rockaway Meadow Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Parsippany), with a comparable rating. For more schools in East Hanover, see our East Hanover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
East Hanover Middle School East Hanover 0.5 mi 8.7
Frank J Smith Elementary East Hanover 1.1 mi 7.7
Hanover Park High School East Hanover 1.6 mi 8.2
PILLAR HIGH SCHOOL (FORMER HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL) Livingston 1.6 mi 7.3
Troy Hills Elementary School Parsippany 2.3 mi 8.4
Riker Hill Elementary School Livingston 2.4 mi 6.4
Rockaway Meadow Elementary School Parsippany 2.9 mi 8.4
Bee Meadow School Whippany 2.3 mi 7.7
Heritage Middle School Livingston 3.0 mi 7.7
THE CALAIS SCHOOL Whippany 2.4 mi 6.9
NEWARK ACADEMY Livingston 3.3 mi 6.2
Memorial Junior School Whippany 2.5 mi 7.4
Woodmont School Pine Brook 3.3 mi 8.7
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Parsippany 3.2 mi 7.2
Brooklake School Florham Park 3.4 mi 7.9
Lester C Noecker Roseland 2.7 mi 8.0
Briarwood School Florham Park 3.4 mi 7.3
Hillside Elementary School Livingston 3.1 mi 7.7
JOSEPH KUSHNER HEBREW ACADEMY RAE KUSHNER YESHIVA Livingston 3.6 mi 6.5
SINAI ELEMENTARY AT JOSEPH KUSHNER HEBREW ACADEMY Livingston 3.6 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07936 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$144,792

Median Home Value

$668,500

Median Rent

$2,745/mo

Population

11,106

College Educated

55.2%

Homeownership

94.4%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

2.2%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $144,792. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $668,500, with a median rent of $2,745/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Alan B. Shepard Elementary School Old Bridge, 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
Washington Avenue School Chatham, NJ 8.9
Asher Holmes Elementary School Morganville, NJ 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary 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 Elementary School rank in NJ?

Central Elementary School is ranked #68 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 64.1% math proficiency and 67.4% 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?

2.0% 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
2.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Morris County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Hanover Township School District
District Enrollment
1,003
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,700
District Rank
#1 of 3

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

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