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#1534 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Jefferson Elementary School

Elementary School · Caldwell-West School District

85 PROSPECT ST, West Caldwell, NJ 07006

Enrollment

256

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,534 of 2,466

In West Caldwell

#4 of 6

public schools

In district

#5 of 7

Caldwell-West School District

School environment

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Jefferson Elementary School

5.9/10

Elementary School in West Caldwell · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grover Cleveland Middle School

7.0/10

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

James Caldwell High School

6.6/10

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

About Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Caldwell, NJ, part of Caldwell-West School District. Jefferson Elementary School serves approximately 256 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,534 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+10.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,479
Chronic Absenteeism10.9%

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

10.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 63.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 67.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 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
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
54.5%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
58.2%
ELA
54.9%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Jefferson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
7.4/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

Location

85 PROSPECT ST, West Caldwell, NJ 07006

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lester C Noecker (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Roseland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wilson Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lincoln Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Caldwell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Caldwell, see our West Caldwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Grover Cleveland Middle School Caldwell 0.3 mi 7.0
James Caldwell High School West Caldwell 0.4 mi 6.6
Harrison School West Caldwell 0.7 mi 5.2
Essex Fells Elementary School Essex Fells 0.8 mi 7.2
Essex County West Caldwell Tech West Caldwell 0.9 mi 6.5
Wilson Elementary School West Caldwell 0.8 mi 8.1
MOUNT SAINT DOMINIC ACADEMY Caldwell 0.9 mi 6.2
Washington Elementary School West Caldwell 1.1 mi 5.1
THE ARC OF ESSEX COUNTY'S STEPPING STONES SCHOOL Roseland 1.3 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Caldwell 1.0 mi 7.9
ESSEX VALLEY SCHOOL West Caldwell 1.4 mi 7.0
Lester C Noecker Roseland 1.7 mi 8.2
NEW BEGINNINGS Fairfield 2.2 mi 7.8
GLENVIEW ACADEMY Fairfield 2.3 mi 6.7
THE GRAMON SCHOOL Fairfield 2.3 mi 7.4
Gould/Mountain Elementary School N. Caldwell 2.0 mi 8.7
Forest Avenue School Verona 1.9 mi 7.1
West Essex High School North Caldwell 2.5 mi 8.2
Winston S. Churchill School Fairfield 2.7 mi 7.7
West Essex Middle School North Caldwell 2.6 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,645

Median Home Value

$667,300

Median Rent

$1,973/mo

Population

26,417

College Educated

64.9%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

42.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BISHOP SCHAD REGIONAL SCHOOL Vineland, NJ 5.9
Betty McElmon Elementary School West Long Branch, NJ 5.9
Captain James Lawrence Elementary School Burlington, NJ 5.9
Catherine A Dwyer Elementary School Wharton, NJ 5.9
Lafayette Elementary School Bound Brook, NJ 5.9
Olivet Elementary School Pittsgrove, NJ 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elementary School

What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Jefferson Elementary School?

Jefferson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 256 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Elementary School rank in NJ?

Jefferson Elementary School ranks #1,534 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson Elementary School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Jefferson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

10.2% of students at Jefferson 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
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
256
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
10.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.9%

District

Caldwell-West School District
District Enrollment
2,577
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,479
District Rank
#5 of 7

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