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Excellent

#358 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 15% in state

Jefferson Elementary School

Elementary School · Union City School District

3400 PALISADE AVENUE, Union City, NJ 07087

Enrollment

316

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#358 of 2,466

In Union City

#6 of 14

public schools

In district

#6 of 14

Union City School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Jefferson Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Union City · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Union Hill Middle School

6.7/10

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

George Washington Elementary School

6.0/10

0.3 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 Union City, NJ, part of Union City School District. Jefferson Elementary School serves approximately 316 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #358 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+4.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+25.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,362
Chronic Absenteeism20.9%

Jefferson Elementary School — Students at Jefferson Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 43.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
47%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
47.3%
ELA
38.2%
2025
Math
59.1%
ELA
35.9%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Jefferson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

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. Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Hudson Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Theodore Roosevelt School (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Weehawken), with a very similar rating. 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 6.7
George Washington Elementary School Union City 0.3 mi 6.0
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.3 mi 6.7
Weehawken High School Weehawken 0.4 mi 7.3
Robert Waters Elementary School Union City 0.4 mi 7.3
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 6.3
RISING STAR ACADEMY Union City 0.6 mi 6.5
Union City High School Union City 0.6 mi 4.5
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 8.4
Theodore Roosevelt School Weehawken 0.6 mi 8.2
Emerson Middle School Union City 0.7 mi 6.9
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.7 mi 6.5
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.7 mi 8.5
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.9 mi 7.7
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.8 mi 8.7
Early Childhood School West New York 0.9 mi 3.7
Robert Menendez Elementary School West New York 1.0 mi 7.6
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.9 mi 8.1
Public School Number Two West New York 0.9 mi 8.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Atlantic County Elementary and Middle Schools Mays Landing, NJ 8.1
Bayberry School Watchung, NJ 8.1
Bradley Beach Elementary School Bradley Beach, NJ 8.1
C. Richard Applegate School Freehold, NJ 8.1
Cedar Hill School Towaco, NJ 8.1
Dr. Paul Rafalides School Jersey City, NJ 8.1

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 ranks #358 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Jefferson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% 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?

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
91 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.9%

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