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Excellent

#324 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 13% in state

Dr. Paul Rafalides School

Elementary School · Jersey City Public Schools

362 UNION ST, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Enrollment

347

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#324 of 2,466

In Jersey City

#9 of 52

public schools

In district

#7 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Dr. Paul Rafalides School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Jersey City · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Chaplain Charles Watters School

5.3/10

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

Empowerment Academy Charter School

5.6/10

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

About Dr. Paul Rafalides School

Dr. Paul Rafalides School is a public elementary school in Jersey City, NJ, part of Jersey City Public Schools. Dr.

Paul Rafalides School serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Dr. Paul Rafalides School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #324 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Dr. Paul Rafalides School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.4
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+7.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,525
Chronic Absenteeism23.3%

Dr. Paul Rafalides School — Students at Dr. Paul Rafalides School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 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
87%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
34.6%
ELA
41.1%
2025
Math
40.2%
ELA
50.1%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Dr. Paul Rafalides School Compares

See how Dr. Paul Rafalides School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

Location

362 UNION ST, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr. Paul Rafalides School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Julia A. Barnes School (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Learning Community Charter School (rated 6.3/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Chaplain Charles Watters School Jersey City 0.2 mi 5.3
Empowerment Academy Charter School Jersey City 0.2 mi 5.6
ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Jersey City 0.5 mi 7.4
Henry Snyder High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.5
Innovation High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 5.3
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City 0.5 mi 3.5
Learning Community Charter School Jersey City 0.5 mi 6.3
Academy I Jersey City 0.7 mi 8.0
University Academy Charter High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 5.0
PHILLIPS GLOBAL INSTITUTE Jersey City 0.8 mi
Dr. Charles P. DeFuccio School Jersey City 0.8 mi 6.2
Gladys Nunery School Jersey City 0.8 mi 4.2
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Jersey City 0.8 mi 4.0
ST DOMINIC ACADEMY Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.4
James F. Murray School Jersey City 0.8 mi 6.2
Joseph H. Brensinger School Jersey City 0.7 mi 5.9
Dr Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Jersey City 0.7 mi 4.8
Julia A. Barnes School Jersey City 0.8 mi 8.5
Lincoln High School Jersey City 0.8 mi 3.7
Whitney M. Young Jr. School Jersey City 1.1 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,432

Median Home Value

$489,400

Median Rent

$1,572/mo

Population

49,260

College Educated

39.7%

Homeownership

26%

Avg Commute

35.5 min

Poverty Rate

20%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bayberry School Watchung, NJ 8.1
Benedict A. Cucinella School Long Valley, NJ 8.1
C. Richard Applegate School Freehold, NJ 8.1
Cedar Hill School Towaco, NJ 8.1
Franklin Elementary School Bergenfield, NJ 8.1
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield, NJ 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Paul Rafalides School

What grades does Dr. Paul Rafalides School serve?

Dr. Paul Rafalides School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Dr. Paul Rafalides School?

Dr. Paul Rafalides School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Paul Rafalides School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Paul Rafalides School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr. Paul Rafalides School rank in NJ?

Dr. Paul Rafalides School ranks #324 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Dr. Paul Rafalides School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr. Paul Rafalides School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Dr. Paul Rafalides School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Paul Rafalides School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dr. Paul Rafalides School a charter school?

No, Dr. Paul Rafalides School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dr. Paul Rafalides School a Title I school?

No, Dr. Paul Rafalides School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Paul Rafalides School?

65.1% of students at Dr. Paul Rafalides 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
91 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
74 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.3%

District

Jersey City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,293
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,525
District Rank
#7 of 39

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