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Needs Improvement

#2382 of 2,463 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

3.6

Grades

5th – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Union

#7 of 10

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#434 of 441

In district

#7 of 10

Township of Union School District

About Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary, located in Union, New Jersey, is a middle school serving fifth-grade students. With an enrollment of 569 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention within its regular public school setting. The school has 40 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting each student’s academic journey.

Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, placing it at #2091 in New Jersey among the state’s 2475 schools, indicating room for improvement in its academic performance. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 45%, while Math proficiency is 25% and Science proficiency is just 4%. These scores suggest that Jefferson Elementary is focused on enhancing student development across all subjects.

Situated in a large suburban area, the school benefits from being part of a supportive community environment.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-19.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,551

Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson Elementary score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.4%
School
State
40.6%
ELA Proficiency 45.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
28.4%
ELA
49.9%

* 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
3.6/10
3th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
42%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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 7.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Millburn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maplewood Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burnet Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 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 8.6
Union High School Union 0.8 mi 3.8
Hannah Caldwell Elementary Union 0.9 mi 2.4
Maplewood Middle School Maplewood 0.9 mi 6.1
Wyoming School Millburn 1.0 mi 7.5
ST MICHAEL PARISH SCHOOL Union 1.1 mi 6.0
Burnet Middle School Union 1.2 mi 5.3
South Mountain School Millburn 1.0 mi 8.8
Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood 1.4 mi 8.4
Connecticut Farms Elementary Union 1.6 mi 4.0
Columbia High School Maplewood 1.5 mi 7.0
Battle Hill Elementary Union 1.5 mi 3.3
Franklin Elementary Union 1.4 mi 2.4
Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School Maplewood 1.4 mi 6.8
SPRINGFIELD GENIUS ACADEMY Springfield 1.4 mi
ST STEPHEN'S PRESCHOOL Millburn 1.5 mi
Clinton Elementary School Maplewood 1.8 mi 6.5
Washington School Millburn 1.6 mi 7.2
THE CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Springfield 1.6 mi
South Mountain Elementary School S. Orange 2.2 mi 7.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $118,106. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $425,600, with a median rent of $1,938/month. The local poverty rate of 6.2% 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
Alexander Batcho Intermediate School Manville, NJ 3.5
Lincoln School Fairview, NJ 3.5
Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.8
Clara Parker Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.4
Florence Riverfront School Florence, NJ 3.9
James A Cotten Intermediate School Willingboro, NJ 3.9

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 is ranked #2382 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Jefferson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary has 25.4% math proficiency and 45.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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