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#1560 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Jefferson Elementary School

Elementary School · Union City School District

3400 PALISADE AVENUE, Union City, NJ 07087

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Union City

#9 of 11

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#933 of 1,496

In district

#11 of 14

Union City School District

Equity

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Jefferson Elementary School

Jefferson Elementary School is a regular public school located in Union City, New Jersey, in the heart of Hudson County. Situated at 3400 Palisade Avenue, this elementary school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. With an enrollment of 316 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, Jefferson Elementary provides personalized attention to help each child grow academically and socially.

The school boasts 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic needs of their students. While the MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it around the 45th percentile among New Jersey schools, Jefferson Elementary focuses on continuous improvement and student development. Test scores show that 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, with 44% meeting proficiency standards in Math.

Jefferson Elementary is set in a large suburban area, offering students a peaceful environment to learn and explore. The community around the school fosters a supportive atmosphere for both educators and families as they work together to ensure the best educational outcomes for each child.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-0.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected+25.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,604

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.1%
School
State
46.6%
ELA Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 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
52%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
47.3%
ELA
38.2%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Jefferson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

3400 PALISADE AVENUE, Union City, NJ 07087

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Colin Powell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union City, see our Union City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Union Hill Middle School Union City 0.2 mi 7.5
George Washington Elementary School Union City 0.3 mi 5.6
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.3 mi 7.1
Weehawken High School Weehawken 0.4 mi 5.8
Robert Waters Elementary School Union City 0.4 mi 7.8
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 8.2
RISING STAR ACADEMY Union City 0.6 mi 6.5
Union City High School Union City 0.6 mi 4.0
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 4.7
Theodore Roosevelt School Weehawken 0.6 mi 6.7
Emerson Middle School Union City 0.7 mi 7.0
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.7 mi 4.8
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.7 mi 7.9
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.9 mi 8.2
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.8 mi 9.1
Early Childhood School West New York 0.9 mi 5.1
Robert Menendez Elementary School West New York 1.0 mi 7.4
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.9 mi 8.1
Public School Number Two West New York 0.9 mi 5.7
ST FRANCIS ACADEMY Union City 0.9 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07087 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,369

Median Home Value

$446,800

Median Rent

$1,489/mo

Population

66,375

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

20.4%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

21.3%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary School has a median household income of $65,369. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,800, with a median rent of $1,489/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY AT ST CATHARINE Glen Rock, NJ 5.8
Albert Payson Terhune Elementary Wayne, NJ 5.8
Atlantic Community Charter School Galloway, NJ 5.8
Avenel Street Elementary School Avenel, NJ 5.8
Belleville PS5 Belleville, NJ 5.8
Benjamin Franklin School No. 13 Elizabeth, NJ 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elementary School

What grades does Jefferson Elementary School serve?

Jefferson Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Jefferson Elementary School?

Jefferson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 316 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary School is 11.7:1. 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 #1560 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 44.1% math proficiency and 39.5% 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?

82.0% 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
316
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hudson County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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