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Excellent

#281 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 11% in state

Hurden Looker School

Elementary School · Hillside Public School District

1261 LIBERTY AVE, Hillside, NJ 07205

Enrollment

393

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

2nd – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#281 of 2,466

In Hillside

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Hillside Public School District

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Hurden Looker School

8.2/10

Elementary School in Hillside · grades 2nd – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillside High School

4.3/10

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

Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School

6.9/10

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

About Hurden Looker School

Hurden Looker School is a public elementary school in Hillside, NJ, part of Hillside Public School District. Hurden Looker School serves approximately 393 students, and covers grades 2nd-6th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hurden Looker School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #281 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hurden Looker School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+6.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.7Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+19.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,458
Chronic Absenteeism16.5%

Hurden Looker School — Students at Hurden Looker School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 38.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
43.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 46.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 45 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
66%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
70%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
31%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
38%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
52.2%
2025
Math
35%
ELA
58.6%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Hurden Looker School Compares

See how Hurden Looker School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

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

1261 LIBERTY AVE, Hillside, NJ 07205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hurden Looker School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), with a very similar rating. Another option is Bruce Street School (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Newark), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Ola Edwards Community School (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hillside, see our Hillside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillside High School Hillside 0.4 mi 4.3
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Hillside 0.6 mi 6.9
Ola Edwards Community School Hillside 0.8 mi 7.1
Deanna G. Taylor Academy Hillside 0.7 mi 5.1
TRINITY TEMPLE ACADEMY Hillside 0.7 mi 4.1
Hillside Innovation Academy Hillside 0.7 mi 8.3
Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Hillside 0.7 mi 5.8
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.1 mi 6.4
Weequahic High School Newark 1.1 mi 2.9
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.1 mi 4.7
Union Avenue Middle School Irvington 1.3 mi 5.9
Livingston Elementary Union 1.1 mi 4.6
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 1.3 mi 5.7
Mt. Vernon Avenue Elementary School Irvington 1.4 mi 5.0
BRURIAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Elizabeth 1.3 mi 7.0
Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 8.4
Bruce Street School Newark 1.4 mi 7.4
George Washington Carver Elementary School Newark 1.4 mi 4.3
Nicholas Murray Butler Academy School No. 23 Elizabeth 1.5 mi 6.1
Chancellor Avenue Elementary School Irvington 1.6 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,558

Median Home Value

$363,200

Median Rent

$1,712/mo

Population

22,179

College Educated

28.9%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln School #6 Garfield, NJ 8.2
Alloway Township School Alloway, NJ 8.2
Bayview Elementary School Belford, NJ 8.2
Central Elementary School Great Meadows, NJ 8.2
Central School Warren, NJ 8.2
Heights Elementary School Oakland, NJ 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hurden Looker School

What grades does Hurden Looker School serve?

Hurden Looker School serves students in grades 2nd through 6th.

How many students attend Hurden Looker School?

Hurden Looker School has an enrollment of approximately 393 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hurden Looker School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hurden Looker School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hurden Looker School rank in NJ?

Hurden Looker School ranks #281 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hurden Looker School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hurden Looker School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Hurden Looker School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hurden Looker School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hurden Looker School a charter school?

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

Is Hurden Looker School a Title I school?

No, Hurden Looker School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hurden Looker School?

72.0% of students at Hurden Looker 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
86 Very Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 6th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.5%

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