Excellent
#216 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 9% in state
Christopher Columbus School #8
Elementary School · Garfield Public School District
147 CEDAR STREET, Garfield, NJ 07026
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Garfield
#2 of 9
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#145 of 1,496
In district
#2 of 11
Garfield Public School District
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Christopher Columbus School #8
Christopher Columbus School #8 is a public elementary school in Garfield, NJ, part of the Garfield Public School District. The school serves approximately 392 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 91.3th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math, 11 points below the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $75,701, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Christopher Columbus School #8 — Students at Christopher Columbus School #8 score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52%
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: 9.4/10.
How Christopher Columbus School #8 Compares
See how Christopher Columbus School #8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
147 CEDAR STREET, Garfield, NJ 07026
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Christopher Columbus School #8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. James Madison School #10 (rated 9.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Thomas Jefferson School #9 (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Roosevelt School #7 (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Garfield, see our Garfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,701
Median Home Value
$454,300
Median Rent
$1,612/mo
Population
32,502
College Educated
24.3%
Homeownership
45.4%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
14.2%
Median Age
39
Community Profile
The community surrounding Christopher Columbus School #8 has a median household income of $75,701. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $454,300, with a median rent of $1,612/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Clifton Ave Grade School Lakewood, NJ | 8.3 |
| Haskell Elementary School Haskell, NJ | 8.3 |
| Hillsborough Township Elementary School Hillsborough, NJ | 8.3 |
| Hoover Elementary School Bergenfield, NJ | 8.3 |
| John Y Dater Elementary School Ramsey, NJ | 8.3 |
| Mountview Road School Morris Plains, NJ | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Christopher Columbus School #8
What grades does Christopher Columbus School #8 serve?
Christopher Columbus School #8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Christopher Columbus School #8?
Christopher Columbus School #8 has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus School #8?
The student-teacher ratio at Christopher Columbus School #8 is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Christopher Columbus School #8 rank in NJ?
Christopher Columbus School #8 is ranked #216 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Christopher Columbus School #8's MySchoolScout rating?
Christopher Columbus School #8 has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Christopher Columbus School #8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Christopher Columbus School #8 has 34.1% math proficiency and 46.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Christopher Columbus School #8 a charter school?
No, Christopher Columbus School #8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Christopher Columbus School #8 a Title I school?
No, Christopher Columbus School #8 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Christopher Columbus School #8?
52.0% of students at Christopher Columbus School #8 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 82 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 41 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 40 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,953/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Garfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 392
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Bergen County
- Phone
- (973) 340-5038
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Garfield Public School District- District Enrollment
- 4,871
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,656
- District Rank
- #2 of 11
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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