Very Good
#784 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 32% in state
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School
Elementary School · Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District
721 WESTFIELD ROAD, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
415
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scotch Plains
#5 of 14
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#477 of 1,496
In district
#2 of 8
Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District
Equity
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Howard B. Brunner Elementary School
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School serves students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Scotch Plains, a large suburban community in Union County, New Jersey. The school enrolls 415 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, supported by 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work to keep class sizes manageable.
Academically, Howard B. Brunner performs solidly, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6/10 and ranking in the 82nd percentile among New Jersey schools. The school's academic score of 8.3/10 reflects consistent performance across subjects.
In reading and language arts, 65% of students score at proficient levels or above, while 67% of students demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These results represent a solid foundation in core academic skills as students progress through their early elementary years. Located at 721 Westfield Road, the school is situated in a large suburban setting that provides a community-oriented environment for young learners.
Howard B. Brunner Elementary offers a traditional public school experience designed to support children from their earliest school years through fourth grade.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Howard B. Brunner Elementary School — Students at Howard B. Brunner Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
5.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.1/10.
How Howard B. Brunner Elementary School Compares
See how Howard B. Brunner Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
721 WESTFIELD ROAD, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howard B. Brunner Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frederic W. Cook Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Westfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Scotch Plains, see our Scotch Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07076 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$173,564
Median Home Value
$696,900
Median Rent
$1,816/mo
Population
24,667
College Educated
65%
Homeownership
81.1%
Avg Commute
35.2 min
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howard B. Brunner Elementary School has a median household income of $173,564. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $696,900, with a median rent of $1,816/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. 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 |
| Bells Elementary School Turnersville, NJ | 7.2 |
| Gladys Nunery School Jersey City, NJ | 7.2 |
| Hartshorn School Short Hills, NJ | 7.2 |
| Helen I. Smith School Saddle Brook, NJ | 7.2 |
| Irving Primary School Highland Park, NJ | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howard B. Brunner Elementary School
What grades does Howard B. Brunner Elementary School serve?
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Howard B. Brunner Elementary School?
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 415 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howard B. Brunner Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Howard B. Brunner Elementary School is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howard B. Brunner Elementary School rank in NJ?
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School is ranked #784 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Howard B. Brunner Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howard B. Brunner Elementary 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 Howard B. Brunner Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howard B. Brunner Elementary School has 67.3% math proficiency and 65.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howard B. Brunner Elementary School a charter school?
No, Howard B. Brunner Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howard B. Brunner Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Howard B. Brunner Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howard B. Brunner Elementary School?
5.5% of students at Howard B. Brunner 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 415
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 5.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (908) 889-2148
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District- District Enrollment
- 5,758
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,242
- District Rank
- #2 of 8
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 methodologyRelated reading
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