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Average

#1495 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Emerson Community School

Elementary School · Plainfield Public School District

305 EMERSON AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07062

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Plainfield

#10 of 15

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#894 of 1,496

In district

#9 of 13

Plainfield Public School District

About Emerson Community School

Emerson Community School is a public elementary school in Plainfield, New Jersey, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 424 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each child thrive academically. The dedicated staff includes 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to support their pupils.

Emerson Community School is located in a large suburban area with a diverse community. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and its state ranking at #2087 out of 2475 schools suggest there is room for academic growth, but the close-knit community focuses on student development beyond test scores. In recent assessments, 31% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% achieved proficiency in Math; Science results indicated a need for improvement with no students meeting proficiency standards.

Despite these challenges, Emerson Community School aims to provide a nurturing environment where every child can find their strengths and develop holistically. The school's setting amidst a suburban neighborhood offers a supportive community that values education and the well-being of its young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Math vs. State Avg-27.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,370

Emerson Community School — Students at Emerson Community School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.1%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 31.4%
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
31%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
20%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
24.9%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Emerson Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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. Frederic W. Cook Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), which scores notably higher. Additionally, School One Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), which scores slightly higher. 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 5.9
Maxson Middle School Plainfield 0.6 mi 5.9
PHOENIX PRESCHOOL OF NEW JERSEY Plainfield 0.5 mi
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield 0.5 mi 4.8
Pinnacle Academy High School Plainfield 0.6 mi
Frederic W. Cook Elementary School Plainfield 0.7 mi 8.3
School One Elementary Scotch Plains 0.9 mi 6.7
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School Scotch Plains 1.0 mi 4.9
East End School North Plainfield 0.9 mi 5.1
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 1.3 mi 4.8
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.8
ST BARTHOLOMEW ACADEMY Scotch Plains 1.5 mi 4.7
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.6 mi 3.8
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 6.7
Bayberry School Watchung 1.5 mi 5.2
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 4.9
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Scotch Plains 1.8 mi 5.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emerson Community School has a median household income of $92,711. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,200, with a median rent of $1,794/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. 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
Amsterdam Elementary School Hillsborough, NJ 5.9
Avon Elementary School Haddonfield, NJ 5.9
BELZ INSTITUTION/BAIS MALKO, BRENCH Lakewood, NJ 5.9
Barclay Brook School Monroe Twp, NJ 5.9
Beachwood Elementary School Beachwood, NJ 5.9
Central Early Childhood Center Deptford, NJ 5.9

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 is ranked #1495 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Emerson Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Community School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Emerson Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson Community School has 25.1% math proficiency and 31.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,022/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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