Skip to main content

Below Average

#2146 of 2,463 schools in NJ

John F Kennedy Elementary School

Elementary School · South Plainfield School District

2900 NORWOOD AVENUE, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Enrollment

259

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In South Plainfield

#5 of 6

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#1,286 of 1,496

In district

#5 of 7

South Plainfield School District

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About John F Kennedy Elementary School

John F Kennedy Elementary School serves 259 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in South Plainfield, New Jersey. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with more individualized attention than many larger schools. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #551 out of 2,475 New Jersey elementary schools.

Students show consistent achievement across core subjects, with 57% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This academic score of 7.4 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence. John F Kennedy Elementary is situated in an affluent suburban community where families value education, as evidenced by the 43% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's median household income of $123,516 and low poverty rate of 3.6% contribute to a stable learning environment. With median home values around $417,500, the area attracts families invested in their children's educational journey. Located on Norwood Avenue in this large suburban setting of Middlesex County, the school serves a community of approximately 24,256 residents who prioritize academic achievement and family stability.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.02 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg+9.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile71th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,362

John F Kennedy Elementary School — Students at John F Kennedy Elementary School score 57% 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

24.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 50.6%
School
State
46.6%
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
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
72%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
48.6%
ELA
45.2%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How John F Kennedy Elementary School Compares

See how John F Kennedy Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

2900 NORWOOD AVENUE, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John F Kennedy Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Martin Luther King Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Edison), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cresthaven Academy Charter School (rated 6.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Plainfield, see our South Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
John E. Riley Elementary School South Plainfield 0.6 mi 4.1
HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY South Plainfield 0.6 mi 8.1
South Plainfield High School South Plainfield 0.7 mi 6.5
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 0.8 mi 4.6
BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Edison 1.0 mi
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 7.1
WARDLAW-HARTRIDGE SCHOOL Edison 1.2 mi 7.7
Roosevelt Elementary School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 5.7
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 6.0
Martin Luther King Elementary School Edison 1.4 mi 6.7
KEITH WOLD JOHNSON CHILD CENTER Edison 1.5 mi
JUMP IMMERSION SCHOOL/SALTA JUMP INTO SPANISH Edison 1.6 mi
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.9 mi 3.8
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.7 mi 6.1
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.9 mi 4.8
John Adams Middle School Edison 1.6 mi 5.8
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.9 mi 6.0
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.7 mi 3.8
LIL BIG ONES South Plainfield 2.2 mi
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 2.1 mi 6.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding John F Kennedy Elementary School has a median household income of $126,161. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,100, with a median rent of $1,928/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
Belleville PS10 Belleville, NJ 4.5
George Washington Elementary School North Arlington, NJ 4.5
Hope Academy Charter School Asbury Park, NJ 4.5
JEWISH EDUCATIONAL CENTER LOWER SCHOOL Elizabeth, NJ 4.5
Langtree Elementary School Hamilton, NJ 4.5
Lavallette Elementary School Lavallette, NJ 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John F Kennedy Elementary School

What grades does John F Kennedy Elementary School serve?

John F Kennedy Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend John F Kennedy Elementary School?

John F Kennedy Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at John F Kennedy Elementary School is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John F Kennedy Elementary School rank in NJ?

John F Kennedy Elementary School is ranked #2146 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is John F Kennedy Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John F Kennedy Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 John F Kennedy Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John F Kennedy Elementary School has 50.6% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John F Kennedy Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is John F Kennedy Elementary School a Title I school?

No, John F Kennedy Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John F Kennedy Elementary School?

24.3% of students at John F Kennedy 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

City Safety
High (2,048/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (South Plainfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.