Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2341 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Jefferson Elementary

Middle School · Township of Union School District

155 HILTON AVENUE, Union, NJ 07083

Enrollment

569

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

5th – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,341 of 2,466

In Union

#10 of 10

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

Township of Union School District

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Jefferson Elementary?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Jefferson Elementary

3.8/10

Middle School in Union · grades 5th – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tuscan Elementary School

7.8/10

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

Union High School

3.9/10

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

About Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary is a public middle school in Union, NJ, part of Township of Union School District. Jefferson Elementary serves approximately 569 students, and covers grades 5th-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,341 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • NJ avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,824
Chronic Absenteeism14.9%

Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 29 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
68%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2019
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
28.4%
ELA
49.9%
2025
Math
27.2%
ELA
43.5%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Jefferson Elementary Compares

See how Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.9%

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

155 HILTON AVENUE, Union, NJ 07083

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Washington School (rated 8.7/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Millburn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maplewood Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burnet Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union, see our Union schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Tuscan Elementary School Maplewood 0.8 mi 7.8
Union High School Union 0.8 mi 3.9
Hannah Caldwell Elementary Union 0.9 mi 4.0
Maplewood Middle School Maplewood 0.9 mi 7.5
Wyoming School Millburn 1.0 mi 7.6
ST MICHAEL PARISH SCHOOL Union 1.1 mi 6.0
Burnet Middle School Union 1.2 mi 5.5
South Mountain School Millburn 1.0 mi 6.6
Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood 1.4 mi 5.3
Connecticut Farms Elementary Union 1.6 mi 7.7
Columbia High School Maplewood 1.5 mi 6.4
Battle Hill Elementary Union 1.5 mi 7.1
Franklin Elementary Union 1.4 mi 6.9
Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School Maplewood 1.4 mi 8.1
SPRINGFIELD GENIUS ACADEMY Springfield 1.4 mi
ST STEPHEN'S PRESCHOOL Millburn 1.5 mi
Clinton Elementary School Maplewood 1.8 mi 6.8
Washington School Millburn 1.6 mi 8.7
THE CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Springfield 1.6 mi
South Mountain Elementary School S. Orange 2.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07083 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$118,106

Median Home Value

$425,600

Median Rent

$1,938/mo

Population

57,036

College Educated

41%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

41.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.8
James A Cotten Intermediate School Willingboro, NJ 3.7
Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.7
Thomas W. Wallace Jr. Middle School Vineland, NJ 3.6
Arthur J. Holland Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.5
Battle Monument Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elementary

What grades does Jefferson Elementary serve?

Jefferson Elementary serves students in grades 5th through 5th.

How many students attend Jefferson Elementary?

Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Elementary rank in NJ?

Jefferson Elementary ranks #2,341 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Jefferson Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Jefferson Elementary a charter school?

No, Jefferson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary?

41.7% of students at Jefferson Elementary 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
74 Very Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 5th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.9%

District

Township of Union School District
District Enrollment
7,970
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,824
District Rank
#10 of 10

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.