Very Good
#519 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 21% 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
7.6
Grades
2nd – 6th
Enrollment
393
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
2nd – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hillside
#3 of 6
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#347 of 1,496
In district
#3 of 7
Hillside Public School District
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Hurden Looker School
Hurden Looker School is an elementary school located in the suburban area of Hillside, New Jersey. Serving students from second to sixth grade, Hurden Looker offers a supportive learning environment with an enrollment of 393 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. The school has 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.
Academically, Hurden Looker School is ranked at the 49th percentile among New Jersey schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.0 out of 10. In recent state assessments, 47% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 26% achieved proficiency in Math. Science scores showed room for improvement with no percentage listed as proficient or above.
Despite these challenges, Hurden Looker School focuses on the holistic development of its students and works diligently to enhance academic performance through targeted educational programs and support systems. The school is situated in a large suburban community where families are actively involved in supporting their children’s education and personal growth. Hurden Looker School is part of a vibrant neighborhood in Hillside, offering a warm and nurturing environment for young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Hurden Looker School — Students at Hurden Looker School score 33% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 15 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: 8.8/10.
How Hurden Looker School Compares
See how Hurden Looker School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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. Ola Edwards Community School (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Deanna G. Taylor Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bruce Street School (rated 6.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Newark), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hillside, see our Hillside schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hurden Looker School has a median household income of $98,558. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,200, with a median rent of $1,712/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice Costello Elementary School Brooklawn, NJ | 7.6 |
| Ann Blanche Smith Hillsdale, NJ | 7.6 |
| Cambridge Elementary School Kendall Park, NJ | 7.6 |
| Clifton E. Lawrence Wantage, NJ | 7.6 |
| FAR HILLS COUNTRY SCHOOL Far Hills, NJ | 7.6 |
| John Hydock Elementary School Columbus, NJ | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #519 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Hurden Looker School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hurden Looker School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Hurden Looker School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hurden Looker School has 25.6% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Phone
- (908) 352-7664
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hillside Public School District- District Enrollment
- 3,046
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,458
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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