Skip to main content

Excellent

#229 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 9% in state

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School

Elementary School · Plainfield Public School District

739 LELAND AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07062

Enrollment

144

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Plainfield

#1 of 15

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#151 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 13

Plainfield Public School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Frederic W. Cook Elementary School

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School is a public elementary school in Plainfield, NJ, part of the Plainfield Public School District. The school serves approximately 144 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.

It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.7th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 32% proficiency in math, 13 points below the state average and 39% in reading/language arts, 10 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.8/10).

Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $92,711, where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 144 students, Frederic W. Cook Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Frederic W. Cook 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 Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,370

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School — Students at Frederic W. Cook Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 39.4%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
36%
ELA
47.5%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Frederic W. Cook Elementary School Compares

See how Frederic W. Cook Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
91th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

739 LELAND AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07062

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Frederic W. Cook Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), with a comparable rating. Another option is Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), a more accessible option. Additionally, School One Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), a more accessible option. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
PHOENIX PRESCHOOL OF NEW JERSEY Plainfield 0.4 mi
Maxson Middle School Plainfield 0.5 mi 5.9
College Achieve Central Charter School Plainfield 0.6 mi 5.9
Emerson Community School Plainfield 0.7 mi 5.9
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School Scotch Plains 0.8 mi 7.7
JUMP IMMERSION SCHOOL Scotch Plains 0.8 mi
School One Elementary Scotch Plains 1.2 mi 6.7
Pinnacle Academy High School Plainfield 0.9 mi
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School Scotch Plains 1.3 mi 4.9
Terrill Middle School Scotch Plains 1.0 mi 4.9
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.8
FIRST CHILDREN SCHOOL Fanwood 1.2 mi 8.5
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.3 mi 4.8
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.5 mi 3.8
William J. McGinn Elementary School Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 6.7
ST BARTHOLOMEW ACADEMY Scotch Plains 1.7 mi 4.7
East End School North Plainfield 1.4 mi 5.1
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School Scotch Plains 1.8 mi 7.2
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Scotch Plains 1.9 mi 5.3
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.8

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 Frederic W. Cook Elementary 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
Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School Seaside Hts, NJ 8.3
GERRARD BERMAN DAY SCHOOL Oakland, NJ 8.2
Mark Newbie Elementary School Collingswood, NJ 8.2
PRINCETON FRIENDS SCHOOL Princeton, NJ 8.2
Paradise Knoll Elementary School Oak Ridge, NJ 8.2
Lebanon Borough School Lebanon, NJ 8.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Frederic W. Cook Elementary School

What grades does Frederic W. Cook Elementary School serve?

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Frederic W. Cook Elementary School?

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Frederic W. Cook Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Frederic W. Cook Elementary School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Frederic W. Cook Elementary School rank in NJ?

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School is ranked #229 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Frederic W. Cook Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Frederic W. Cook Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Frederic W. Cook Elementary School has 32.0% math proficiency and 39.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Frederic W. Cook Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Frederic W. Cook Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Frederic W. Cook Elementary School?

63.2% of students at Frederic W. Cook 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
144
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.