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Very Good

#783 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 32% in state

Helen I. Smith School

Elementary School · Saddle Brook School District

30 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

Enrollment

342

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saddle Brook

#1 of 4

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#476 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 5

Saddle Brook School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Helen I. Smith School

Helen I. Smith School is a regular public elementary school located in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, nestled within Bergen County. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 342 students.

With a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 and 29 full-time equivalent teachers, Helen I. Smith School provides a supportive learning environment where each child can receive individual attention. According to MySchoolScout’s data, the school's overall rating is 5.8 out of 10, placing it at the 52nd percentile among New Jersey schools.

Academically, students perform with room for growth, achieving proficiency rates of 39% in ELA/reading and 41% in math, while science proficiency remains low at just 2%. The school is situated in a large suburban setting that offers both the tranquility of nature and easy access to urban amenities. Helen I.

Smith School is part of a community focused on providing educational opportunities for young learners, making it an integral part of Saddle Brook’s neighborhood life.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-10.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
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 Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,296

Helen I. Smith School — Students at Helen I. Smith School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

25.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.7%
School
State
42.6%
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
50.4%

Based on 15 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
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
47.2%
ELA
40.1%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Helen I. Smith School Compares

See how Helen I. Smith School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
26%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

30 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Helen I. Smith School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Warren Point Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Fair Lawn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas Jefferson School #9 (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Garfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, RIDGEWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Paramus), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saddle Brook, see our Saddle Brook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Salome H. Long Memorial School Saddle Brook 0.4 mi 6.8
Saddle Brook Middle/High School Saddle Brook 0.6 mi 4.8
CTC ACADEMY - FAIR LAWN Fair Lawn 0.8 mi 6.9
Warren Point Elementary School Fair Lawn 1.0 mi 8.8
Washington School Saddle Brook 1.2 mi 6.9
Franklin School Saddle Brook 1.3 mi 4.4
SAGE DAY AT ROCHELLE PARK Rochelle Park 1.1 mi 7.4
NURSERY RHYMES PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Saddle Brook 1.3 mi
Midland School #1 Rochelle Park 1.1 mi 6.9
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Fair Lawn 1.6 mi 8.2
Sixteenth Avenue School Elmwood Park 1.3 mi 5.3
Thomas Jefferson School #9 Garfield 1.6 mi 8.1
RIDGEWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL Paramus 1.5 mi 7.2
Henry B. Milnes Elementary School Fair Lawn 1.7 mi 5.6
ST LEO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elmwood Park 1.5 mi 6.5
THE FRISCH SCHOOL Paramus 1.7 mi 5.7
Lodi High School Lodi 1.8 mi 5.6
YESHIVAT NOAM SCHOOL Paramus 1.7 mi 5.7
Garfield Public Preschool Annex Garfield 2.0 mi 5.8
Gilbert Avenue School Elmwood Park 1.5 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07663 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,935

Median Home Value

$473,700

Median Rent

$2,018/mo

Population

14,349

College Educated

36.3%

Homeownership

66.5%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Helen I. Smith School has a median household income of $125,935. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $473,700, with a median rent of $2,018/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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
A. Russell Knight Elementary School Cherry Hill, NJ 7.2
Gladys Nunery School Jersey City, NJ 7.2
Hartshorn School Short Hills, NJ 7.2
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School Scotch Plains, NJ 7.2
Irving Primary School Highland Park, NJ 7.2
Lincoln-Hubbard Elementary School Summit, NJ 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Helen I. Smith School

What grades does Helen I. Smith School serve?

Helen I. Smith School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Helen I. Smith School?

Helen I. Smith School has an enrollment of approximately 342 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Helen I. Smith School?

The student-teacher ratio at Helen I. Smith School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Helen I. Smith School rank in NJ?

Helen I. Smith School is ranked #783 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Helen I. Smith School's MySchoolScout rating?

Helen I. Smith School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Helen I. Smith School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Helen I. Smith School has 40.7% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Helen I. Smith School a charter school?

No, Helen I. Smith School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Helen I. Smith School a Title I school?

No, Helen I. Smith School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Helen I. Smith School?

25.7% of students at Helen I. Smith 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (0/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
342
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
25.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Saddle Brook School District
District Enrollment
1,848
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,376
District Rank
#1 of 5

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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