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Very Good

#512 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 21% in state

Hillside Avenue School

Elementary School · Cranford Public School District

125 HILLSIDE AVENUE, Cranford, NJ 07016

Enrollment

748

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#512 of 2,466

In Cranford

#1 of 7

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

Cranford Public School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Hillside Avenue School

7.7/10

Elementary School in Cranford · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jardine Academy

5.7/10

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

Walnut Avenue School

4.8/10

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

About Hillside Avenue School

Hillside Avenue School is a public elementary school in Cranford, NJ, part of Cranford Public School District. Hillside Avenue School serves approximately 748 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Avenue School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #512 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hillside Avenue School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.9
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+25.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.7 pts
Overall Proficiency69% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
Resources & Environment6.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,003
Chronic Absenteeism10.2%

Hillside Avenue School — Students at Hillside Avenue School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

2.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 70.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 55 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
85%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
66%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
30%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
68%
2024
Math
62.4%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
67.1%
ELA
71.6%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Hillside Avenue School Compares

See how Hillside Avenue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
79th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
6.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
3%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

125 HILLSIDE AVENUE, Cranford, NJ 07016

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillside Avenue School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Valley Road School (rated 8.2/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Clark), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Winfield Township (rated 7.6/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Winfield), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Number 9 (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Linden), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cranford, see our Cranford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
JARDINE ACADEMY Cranford 0.5 mi 5.7
Walnut Avenue School Cranford 0.5 mi 4.8
CORNERSTONE DAY SCHOOL Cranford 0.6 mi 8.1
TRINITY EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Cranford 0.8 mi
Livingston Avenue School Cranford 0.7 mi 5.5
Number 10 Linden 0.8 mi 6.5
Winfield Township Winfield 0.9 mi 7.6
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Cranford 0.9 mi 5.0
Bloomingdale Avenue School Cranford 1.3 mi 4.9
Valley Road School Clark 1.4 mi 8.2
MOTHER SETON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Clark 1.5 mi 6.9
Washington Elementary School Roselle 1.2 mi 5.2
Myles J. McManus MIddle School Linden 1.2 mi 5.6
Cranford High School Cranford 1.4 mi 6.1
Orange Avenue School Cranford 1.7 mi 7.0
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER #1517 Clark 1.5 mi
Ernest J. Finizio Jr. - Aldene School Roselle Park 1.6 mi 4.7
Number 9 Linden 1.5 mi 7.5
Clark Preschool Annex Clark 1.7 mi
Brookside Place School Cranford 1.7 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07016 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,629

Median Home Value

$635,800

Median Rent

$2,116/mo

Population

23,841

College Educated

64.8%

Homeownership

78.4%

Avg Commute

35.4 min

Poverty Rate

2.7%

Median Age

42.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abington Avenue School Newark, NJ 7.7
Arthur M. Judd North Brunswick, NJ 7.7
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City, NJ 7.7
Hamilton Primary School Bridgewater, NJ 7.7
Hurffville Elementary School Sewell, NJ 7.7
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School Scotch Plains, NJ 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillside Avenue School

What grades does Hillside Avenue School serve?

Hillside Avenue School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Hillside Avenue School?

Hillside Avenue School has an enrollment of approximately 748 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Avenue School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Avenue School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillside Avenue School rank in NJ?

Hillside Avenue School ranks #512 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hillside Avenue School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillside Avenue School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Hillside Avenue School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside Avenue School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hillside Avenue School a charter school?

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

Is Hillside Avenue School a Title I school?

No, Hillside Avenue School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Avenue School?

2.8% of students at Hillside Avenue 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
748
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
2.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.2%

District

Cranford Public School District
District Enrollment
3,768
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,003
District Rank
#1 of 7

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