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Very Good

#603 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 24% in state

Emerson Community School

Elementary School · Plainfield Public School District

305 EMERSON AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07062

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#603 of 2,466

In Plainfield

#2 of 19

public schools

In district

#2 of 14

Plainfield Public School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Emerson Community School

7.6/10

Elementary School in Plainfield · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

College Achieve Central Charter School

5.1/10

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

Maxson Middle School

6.2/10

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

About Emerson Community School

Emerson Community School is a public elementary school in Plainfield, NJ, part of Plainfield Public School District. Emerson Community School serves approximately 424 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #603 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Community School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.1
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Emerson Community School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+10.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.3 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,788
Chronic Absenteeism33%

Emerson Community School — Students at Emerson Community School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 34.2% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
46%
ELA
33%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
39%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
24.9%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
37.8%
ELA
41.6%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Emerson Community School Compares

See how Emerson Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
76th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

Location

305 EMERSON AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bayberry School (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Watchung), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
College Achieve Central Charter School Plainfield 0.1 mi 5.1
Maxson Middle School Plainfield 0.6 mi 6.2
PHOENIX PRESCHOOL OF NEW JERSEY Plainfield 0.5 mi
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield 0.5 mi 6.5
Pinnacle Academy High School Plainfield 0.6 mi 2.1
Frederic W. Cook Elementary School Plainfield 0.7 mi 7.8
School One Elementary Scotch Plains 0.9 mi 5.9
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School Scotch Plains 1.0 mi 6.7
East End School North Plainfield 0.9 mi 6.1
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 1.3 mi 4.6
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.4
ST BARTHOLOMEW ACADEMY Scotch Plains 1.5 mi 4.7
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.6 mi 3.3
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.4
Bayberry School Watchung 1.5 mi 8.1
JUMP IMMERSION SCHOOL Scotch Plains 1.4 mi
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 7.7
FIRST CHILDREN SCHOOL Fanwood 1.4 mi 8.5
Somerset School North Plainfield 1.5 mi 7.2
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Scotch Plains 1.8 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$92,711

Median Home Value

$374,200

Median Rent

$1,794/mo

Population

15,018

College Educated

30.8%

Homeownership

62.1%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.7%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belleville PS4 Belleville, NJ 7.6
Belleville PS7 Belleville, NJ 7.6
Calvin Coolidge Elementary School Wyckoff, NJ 7.6
Carteret Elementary School Bloomfield, NJ 7.6
Cliffwood Elementary School Cliffwood, NJ 7.6
Commercial Township School Port Norris, NJ 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Community School

What grades does Emerson Community School serve?

Emerson Community School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Emerson Community School?

Emerson Community School has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Community School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Community School rank in NJ?

Emerson Community School ranks #603 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Emerson Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Emerson Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson Community School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Emerson Community School a charter school?

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

Is Emerson Community School a Title I school?

No, Emerson Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson Community School?

74.5% of students at Emerson Community 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

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