Very Good
#486 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 20% 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
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Scotch Plains
#2 of 14
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#330 of 1,496
In district
#1 of 8
Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School serves 548 students from prekindergarten through fourth grade in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1 and 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides solid individual attention for its young learners.
The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #425 out of 2,475 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile. Students show impressive proficiency rates with 78% meeting or exceeding standards in math and 74% in English language arts and reading across all grade levels tested. Located at 16 Kevin Road in Union County, J.
Ackerman Coles serves families in an affluent community where 68% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $179,531. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of just 2.5%, with median home values around $663,700. As a regular public elementary school, J.
Ackerman Coles provides foundational education during crucial early learning years. The school sits within Scotch Plains' large suburban setting, offering families the advantages of a well-resourced community with strong educational values and economic stability.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School — Students at J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
2.6%
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: 8.8/10.
How J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School Compares
See how J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 73% (2019) to 78% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 71% (2019) to 74% (2022).
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 8.3/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Howard B. Brunner Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, William J. McGinn Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Scotch Plains, see our Scotch Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 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 J. Ackerman Coles 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 |
|---|---|
| Campbell Elementary School Metuchen, NJ | 7.7 |
| Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange, NJ | 7.7 |
| Elizabeth Avenue School Somerset, NJ | 7.7 |
| G.H. Carson Elementary School Pennsauken, NJ | 7.7 |
| Grandview Elementary School N. Caldwell, NJ | 7.7 |
| Hillside Elementary School Livingston, 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 is ranked #486 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. Ackerman Coles Elementary School has 71.1% math proficiency and 69.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (908) 757-7555
- 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
- #1 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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