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Very Good

#722 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 29% 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

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#722 of 2,466

In Garfield

#3 of 11

public schools

In district

#3 of 11

Garfield Public School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Christopher Columbus School #8

7.3/10

Elementary School in Garfield · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Garfield High School

4.0/10

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

Margaret P Muscarelle Child Development Center

Nearby

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

About Christopher Columbus School #8

Christopher Columbus School #8 is a public elementary school in Garfield, NJ, part of Garfield Public School District. Christopher Columbus School #8 serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Christopher Columbus School #8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #722 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Christopher Columbus School #8 show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,656
Chronic Absenteeism9.7%

Christopher Columbus School #8 — Students at Christopher Columbus School #8 score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
78%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
39.6%
ELA
52.6%
2025
Math
51.7%
ELA
43%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Christopher Columbus School #8 Compares

See how Christopher Columbus School #8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.7%

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

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. Abraham Lincoln School #6 (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Washington Irving School #4 (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Theodore Roosevelt School No. 10 (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Passaic), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Garfield, see our Garfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Garfield High School Garfield 0.3 mi 4.0
MARGARET P MUSCARELLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Garfield 0.3 mi
Roosevelt School #7 Garfield 0.5 mi 5.0
Garfield Public Preschool 3 at Headstart Garfield 0.5 mi 5.8
Abraham Lincoln School #6 Garfield 0.8 mi 8.2
Bergen Arts and Sciences Charter School Fair Lawn 0.6 mi 7.3
Thomas Jefferson School #9 Garfield 0.8 mi 6.9
James Madison School #10 Garfield 0.8 mi 6.8
Garfield Public Preschool Annex Garfield 0.7 mi 5.4
Garfield Middle School Garfield 0.8 mi 6.4
Washington Irving School #4 Garfield 0.7 mi 7.8
Muhammad Ali School Number 23 Passaic 0.8 mi 6.9
Ellen Ochoa School Number 22 Passaic 0.8 mi 5.1
Mahatma Gandhi School Number 25 Passaic 0.8 mi 4.7
Casimir Pulaski School No. 8 Passaic 1.0 mi 5.6
Abraham Lincoln School Number 24 Passaic 0.9 mi
Garfield Early Childhood Learning Center Garfield 0.9 mi 6.0
Etta Gero School No. 9 Passaic 1.0 mi 4.3
Theodore Roosevelt School No. 10 Passaic 0.9 mi 7.5
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Lodi 0.9 mi 7.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bobby's Run Elementary School Lumberton, NJ 7.3
Fairmount Hackensack, NJ 7.3
Field Street School Carneys Point, NJ 7.3
Franklin Elementary School N. Bergen, NJ 7.3
Franklin Elementary School Westfield, NJ 7.3
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Rahway, NJ 7.3

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 ranks #722 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Christopher Columbus School #8's MySchoolScout rating?

Christopher Columbus School #8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Christopher Columbus School #8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Christopher Columbus School #8 has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
41 Some Transit
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.7%

District

Garfield Public School District
District Enrollment
4,871
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,656
District Rank
#3 of 11

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