Below Average
#2045 of 2,463 schools in NJ
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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jersey City
#36 of 44
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,215 of 1,496
In district
#31 of 39
Jersey City Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Dr. Paul Rafalides School
Dr. Paul Rafalides School is an elementary school located in Jersey City, New Jersey, serving students from pre-K through fourth grade. With a total enrollment of 347 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The school has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering an engaging educational environment. Dr. Paul Rafalides School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, with a state ranking of #1706 among the 2475 schools in New Jersey, placing it around the 31st percentile.
The academic score reflects that there's room for improvement in areas such as ELA/Reading (44% proficient or above) and Math (29% proficient or above). The school is situated in a large city, providing students with access to diverse cultural experiences and resources within Jersey City’s vibrant community. Despite the current challenges highlighted by its academic score, Dr.
Paul Rafalides School remains committed to student development and growth. Dr. Paul Rafalides School sits in the heart of Jersey City, offering its students a rich urban setting that enhances their educational journey with numerous opportunities for exploration and learning beyond the classroom walls.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Dr. Paul Rafalides School — Students at Dr. Paul Rafalides School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.2/10.
How Dr. Paul Rafalides School Compares
See how Dr. Paul Rafalides School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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. Joseph H. Brensinger School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Learning Community Charter School (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dr. Paul Rafalides School has a median household income of $68,432. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $489,400, with a median rent of $1,572/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Elementary School Orange, NJ | 4.7 |
| Hudson Elementary School Union City, NJ | 4.7 |
| John H. Winslow Elementary School Vineland, NJ | 4.7 |
| Lakehurst Elementary School Lakehurst, NJ | 4.7 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | 4.7 |
| Paul W Carleton Penns Grove, NJ | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #2045 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Dr. Paul Rafalides School's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr. Paul Rafalides School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Dr. Paul Rafalides School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Paul Rafalides School has 29.0% math proficiency and 43.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,593/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jersey City). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (201) 915-6540
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jersey City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 26,293
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,525
- District Rank
- #31 of 39
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 methodologyRelated reading
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