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Very Good

#546 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 22% in state

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School

Elementary School · Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District

16 KEVIN ROAD, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Enrollment

548

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#546 of 2,466

In Scotch Plains

#3 of 14

public schools

In district

#2 of 8

Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School

7.7/10

Elementary School in Scotch Plains · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jump Immersion School

Nearby

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

Terrill Middle School

7.9/10

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

About J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School is a public elementary school in Scotch Plains, NJ, part of Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District. J.

Ackerman Coles Elementary School serves approximately 548 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #546 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+4.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+30.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+32.9 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)67% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+10.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,242
Chronic Absenteeism8.8%

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School — Students at J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School score 78% 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

2.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 75.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 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
91%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
78%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
81%
ELA
81%
2018
Math
73%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
73%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
78%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
76.3%
ELA
69.8%
2025
Math
78.6%
ELA
76.8%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School Compares

See how J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
3%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
8.8%

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

16 KEVIN ROAD, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frederic W. Cook Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), with a very similar rating. Another option is Emerson Community School (rated 7.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Scotch Plains, see our Scotch Plains schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
JUMP IMMERSION SCHOOL Scotch Plains 0.3 mi
Terrill Middle School Scotch Plains 0.3 mi 7.9
Frederic W. Cook Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 7.8
FIRST CHILDREN SCHOOL Fanwood 1.1 mi 8.5
William J. McGinn Elementary School Scotch Plains 1.1 mi 7.0
JCC OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY Scotch Plains 0.9 mi 6.6
PHOENIX PRESCHOOL OF NEW JERSEY Plainfield 1.0 mi
Maxson Middle School Plainfield 1.2 mi 6.2
UNION CATHOLIC REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Scotch Plains 1.2 mi 5.9
College Achieve Central Charter School Plainfield 1.3 mi 5.1
School One Elementary Scotch Plains 1.6 mi 5.9
Union County Magnet High School Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 7.2
Academy For Allied Health Sciences Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 7.7
Academy For Performing Arts Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 6.9
Union County Career & Technical Institute Scotch Plains 1.4 mi
Union County Tech Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 7.9
Academy For Information Technology Scotch Plains 1.4 mi 6.5
Howard B. Brunner Elementary School Scotch Plains 1.8 mi 7.5
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School Scotch Plains 1.7 mi 6.7
Emerson Community School Plainfield 1.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Wyckoff, NJ 7.7
Arthur M. Judd North Brunswick, NJ 7.7
Belleville PS3 Belleville, NJ 7.7
Charles H. Bullock School Montclair, NJ 7.7
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City, NJ 7.7
Connecticut Farms Elementary Union, NJ 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School

What grades does J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School serve?

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School?

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 548 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School rank in NJ?

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School ranks #546 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

J. Ackerman Coles Elementary 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 J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 75% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School a charter school?

No, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School a Title I school?

No, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School?

2.6% of students at J. Ackerman Coles 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
2.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
8.8%

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