Excellent
#118 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 5% in state
J Spencer Smith School
Elementary School · Tenafly Public School District
101 DOWNEY DRIVE, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
312
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tenafly
#3 of 6
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#75 of 1,496
In district
#3 of 6
Tenafly Public School District
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About J Spencer Smith School
J Spencer Smith School is a regular public school serving 312 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in Tenafly, New Jersey. With a 10.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio, classes stay small, giving each student more direct access to their teacher. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.5 academic score and an 8.6 growth score.
Those numbers place it in rare company statewide. Out of 2,463 public schools across New Jersey, Smith ranks 70th, outperforming 97 percent of schools in the state. Zoom in to the elementary level and the picture holds: 46th of 1,496 elementary schools in New Jersey.
Academic performance this consistent across two different peer sets signals depth, not a fluke. Within Tenafly itself, Smith ranks 2nd among 6 schools. For families comparing elementary options in the borough, it is one of the two strongest public choices available.
The high growth score — 8.6 — matters as much as the academic baseline: students make real gains year over year, not just test well on entry.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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J Spencer Smith School — Students at J Spencer Smith School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
1.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 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: 8.6/10.
How J Spencer Smith School Compares
See how J Spencer Smith School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 76% (2019) to 79% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
101 DOWNEY DRIVE, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J Spencer Smith School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Walter Stillman School (rated 9.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ABILITY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Englewood), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Englewood), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Tenafly, see our Tenafly schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE ELISABETH MORROW SCHOOL Englewood | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center Englewood | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Tenafly | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| THE IDEA SCHOOL Tenafly | 0.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Walter Stillman School Tenafly | 0.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Dr. John Grieco Elementary School Englewood | 0.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Dr. Leroy McCloud Elementary School Englewood | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Ralph S Maugham School Tenafly | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| TENAFLY CHABAD ACADEMY Tenafly | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| North Cliff School Englewood Cliffs | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Englewood on the Palisades Charter School Englewood | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Tenafly Middle School Tenafly | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| THE FRENCH AMERICAN ACADEMY Englewood | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Tenafly High School Tenafly | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| THE MONTESSORI HOUSE Tenafly | 1.5 mi | — |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Englewood | 1.6 mi | — |
| Dwight Morrow High School/Academies@Englewood Englewood | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| ABILITY SCHOOL Englewood | 1.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Janis E. Dismus Middle School Englewood | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Malcolm S Mackay School Tenafly | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07670 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$208,088
Median Home Value
$974,300
Median Rent
$3,143/mo
Population
15,252
College Educated
79.2%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
41.6 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding J Spencer Smith School has a median household income of $208,088. It is a well-educated community where 79% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $974,300, with a median rent of $3,143/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 42 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 |
|---|---|
| Bradford Elementary School Upper Montclair, NJ | 8.7 |
| Chelsea Heights School Atlantic City, NJ | 8.7 |
| Ella G Clarke Elementary School Lakewood, NJ | 8.7 |
| Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange, NJ | 8.7 |
| Joseph J Catena School Freehold, NJ | 8.7 |
| Orchard Elementary School Ridgewood, NJ | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J Spencer Smith School
What grades does J Spencer Smith School serve?
J Spencer Smith School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend J Spencer Smith School?
J Spencer Smith School has an enrollment of approximately 312 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J Spencer Smith School?
The student-teacher ratio at J Spencer Smith School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J Spencer Smith School rank in NJ?
J Spencer Smith School is ranked #118 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is J Spencer Smith School's MySchoolScout rating?
J Spencer Smith School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Spencer Smith School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J Spencer Smith School has 75.5% math proficiency and 78.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J Spencer Smith School a charter school?
No, J Spencer Smith School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J Spencer Smith School a Title I school?
No, J Spencer Smith School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J Spencer Smith School?
1.9% of students at J Spencer Smith 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tenafly). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 312
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 1.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Bergen County
- Phone
- (201) 816-7715
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Tenafly Public School District- District Enrollment
- 3,487
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,631
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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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