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Excellent

#354 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 14% in state

John E. Riley Elementary School

Elementary School · South Plainfield School District

100 Morris Ave, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#354 of 2,466

In South Plainfield

#1 of 7

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

South Plainfield School District

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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John E. Riley Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in South Plainfield · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Grant Elementary School

6.1/10

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

South Plainfield High School

5.1/10

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

About John E. Riley Elementary School

John E. Riley Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Plainfield, NJ, part of South Plainfield School District. John E.

Riley Elementary School serves approximately 364 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. John E. Riley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #354 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for John E. Riley Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.2
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+10.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+5.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,963
Chronic Absenteeism19.2%

John E. Riley Elementary School — Students at John E. Riley Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 60.7% (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

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
44.8%
ELA
40.1%
2025
Math
53.8%
ELA
52.3%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How John E. Riley Elementary School Compares

See how John E. Riley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
86th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

100 Morris Ave, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John E. Riley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Franklin Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in South Plainfield, see our South Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 0.5 mi 6.1
South Plainfield High School South Plainfield 0.6 mi 5.1
John F Kennedy Elementary School South Plainfield 0.6 mi 5.3
HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY South Plainfield 0.9 mi 8.1
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 0.8 mi 7.7
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 0.9 mi 5.9
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.2 mi 3.3
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.3 mi 4.4
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.1 mi 6.1
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.3 mi 6.9
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.0
WARDLAW-HARTRIDGE SCHOOL Edison 1.3 mi 7.7
BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Edison 1.6 mi
The Queen City Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.4 mi 5.6
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 8.1
Roosevelt Elementary School South Plainfield 1.8 mi 7.3
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 1.7 mi 4.4
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 1.6 mi 6.4
Washington Community School Plainfield 1.6 mi 5.2
Martin Luther King Elementary School Edison 1.6 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,161

Median Home Value

$444,100

Median Rent

$1,928/mo

Population

24,215

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

85.1%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bayberry School Watchung, NJ 8.1
Benedict A. Cucinella School Long Valley, 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
Franklin Elementary School Bergenfield, NJ 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John E. Riley Elementary School

What grades does John E. Riley Elementary School serve?

John E. Riley Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend John E. Riley Elementary School?

John E. Riley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John E. Riley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at John E. Riley Elementary School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John E. Riley Elementary School rank in NJ?

John E. Riley Elementary School ranks #354 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is John E. Riley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John E. Riley 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 John E. Riley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John E. Riley Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is John E. Riley Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is John E. Riley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, John E. Riley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John E. Riley Elementary School?

33.2% of students at John E. Riley 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.2%

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