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Excellent

#122 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 5% in state

Dorchester Elementary School

Elementary School · Woodcliff Lake School District

100 DORCHESTER ROAD, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

Enrollment

508

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Woodcliff Lake

#1 of 2

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#79 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 2

Woodcliff Lake School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Dorchester Elementary School

Dorchester Elementary School serves 508 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. MySchoolScout rates the school Excellent, with a composite score of 8.9 out of 10 — a mark that reflects consistent, top-tier performance across academic achievement and student growth. The numbers tell a clear story.

Dorchester ranks #115 out of 2,463 public schools in New Jersey, outperforming 95% of the state's public schools. Among elementary schools specifically, it places #74 out of 1,496 statewide. Academic performance drives much of that standing: the school earns a 9.2 academic score, paired with an 8.6 growth score indicating students are advancing at an above-average rate relative to peers.

A student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 gives students more direct access to instruction than most New Jersey schools provide. Dorchester ranks first of the two public schools in Woodcliff Lake, making it the clear standout option for local families weighing elementary choices. For parents who want both strong baseline academics and measurable year-over-year growth, this school delivers on both fronts at a level only a fraction of New Jersey's elementary schools reach.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Dorchester Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80%
Math vs. State Avg+22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.1 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,246

Dorchester Elementary School — Students at Dorchester Elementary School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 69.9%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 80.5%
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
75%
ELA
81%
2021*
Math
55%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
70%
ELA
80%
2024
Math
73.1%
ELA
84.7%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Dorchester Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

Location

100 DORCHESTER ROAD, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dorchester Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadowbrook (rated 9.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Hillsdale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Jessie F. George Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Township of Washington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Ridge Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Park Ridge), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Woodcliff Lake, see our Woodcliff Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Woodcliff Middle School Woodcliff Lake 0.2 mi 8.4
West Ridge Elementary School Park Ridge 1.0 mi 8.2
Ann Blanche Smith Hillsdale 1.3 mi 7.6
Park Ridge High School Park Ridge 1.1 mi 6.7
ST JOHN'S ACADEMY Hillsdale 1.6 mi 6.1
Pascack Hills High School Montvale 1.8 mi 8.7
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Montvale 1.9 mi 5.4
Memorial Elementary School Montvale 1.8 mi 7.5
East Brook Elementary School Park Ridge 1.6 mi 7.4
George G White Hillsdale 1.9 mi 8.4
Fieldstone Middle School Montvale 2.1 mi 7.0
Washington Elementary School Township of Washington 2.3 mi 7.9
Jessie F. George Elementary Township of Washington 2.3 mi 8.6
Pascack Valley High School Hillsdale 1.9 mi 8.5
Wandell School Saddle River 2.0 mi 7.9
IMMACULATE HEART ACADEMY Washington Township 2.5 mi 6.9
PRIMORIS ACADEMY Westwood 2.5 mi 8.6
Meadowbrook Hillsdale 2.2 mi 9.4
Westwood Regional High School Township of Washington 3.1 mi 6.5
Brookside Elementary School Westwood 2.9 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07677 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$211,233

Median Home Value

$901,800

Median Rent

$2,629/mo

Population

6,097

College Educated

77.4%

Homeownership

88.6%

Avg Commute

30.5 min

Poverty Rate

2.1%

Median Age

45.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dorchester Elementary School has a median household income of $211,233. It is a well-educated community where 77% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $901,800, with a median rent of $2,629/month. The local poverty rate of 2.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Bradford Elementary School Upper Montclair, NJ 8.7
Ella G Clarke Elementary School Lakewood, NJ 8.7
Gregory Elementary School W. Orange, NJ 8.7
Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange, NJ 8.7
J Spencer Smith School Tenafly, NJ 8.7
Joseph J Catena School Freehold, NJ 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dorchester Elementary School

What grades does Dorchester Elementary School serve?

Dorchester Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Dorchester Elementary School?

Dorchester Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 508 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dorchester Elementary School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dorchester Elementary School rank in NJ?

Dorchester Elementary School is ranked #122 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Dorchester Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dorchester Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Dorchester Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dorchester Elementary School has 69.9% math proficiency and 80.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dorchester Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Dorchester Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

1.4% of students at Dorchester 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
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (735/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Woodcliff Lake). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
508
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Woodcliff Lake School District
District Enrollment
780
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,368
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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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