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#1702 of 2,463 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

5.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Caldwell

#4 of 4

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#1,008 of 1,496

In district

#6 of 7

Caldwell-West School District

About Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in West Caldwell, New Jersey. The school serves kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 256 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, Jefferson Elementary aims to provide individualized attention to each child.

Jefferson Elementary's academic performance is rated at 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout and ranks 1130th among New Jersey’s schools in state rankings (54th percentile). The school shows proficiency rates of 60% for ELA/Reading, 52% for Math, and a notably lower rate of 7% for Science. While the science scores suggest areas for improvement, Jefferson Elementary remains dedicated to supporting student development across all subjects.

The setting is in a large suburban area with a community that values education and offers resources for families seeking additional learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.1 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,329

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.4%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 59.8%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 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
62%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
54.5%
ELA
61%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Jefferson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

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. Essex Fells Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Essex Fells), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lester C Noecker (rated 8.0/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Roseland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Avenue School (rated 6.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Verona), 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 7.6
James Caldwell High School West Caldwell 0.4 mi 7.6
Harrison School West Caldwell 0.7 mi 4.3
Essex Fells Elementary School Essex Fells 0.8 mi 9.2
Essex County West Caldwell Tech West Caldwell 0.9 mi 7.8
Wilson Elementary School West Caldwell 0.8 mi 6.5
MOUNT SAINT DOMINIC ACADEMY Caldwell 0.9 mi 6.2
Washington Elementary School West Caldwell 1.1 mi 5.9
THE ARC OF ESSEX COUNTY'S STEPPING STONES SCHOOL Roseland 1.3 mi
Lincoln Elementary School Caldwell 1.0 mi 6.5
ESSEX VALLEY SCHOOL West Caldwell 1.4 mi 7.0
Lester C Noecker Roseland 1.7 mi 8.0
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 7.5
Forest Avenue School Verona 1.9 mi 6.9
West Essex High School North Caldwell 2.5 mi 7.6
Winston S. Churchill School Fairfield 2.7 mi 3.4
West Essex Middle School North Caldwell 2.6 mi 7.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary School has a median household income of $148,645. 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 $667,300, with a median rent of $1,973/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Alloway Township School Alloway, NJ 5.4
Atco Elementary School Atco, NJ 5.4
Charles R Smith Early Chilhood Center Palisades Park, NJ 5.4
Gables Elementary School Neptune, NJ 5.4
Lawrenceville Elementary School Lawrenceville, NJ 5.4
Lillian M. Steen Bogota, NJ 5.4

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 is ranked #1702 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary School has 52.4% math proficiency and 59.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Low (18/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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