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Average

#1878 of 2,466 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

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,878 of 2,466

In South Plainfield

#6 of 7

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

South Plainfield School District

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John F Kennedy Elementary School

5.3/10

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

John E. Riley Elementary School

8.1/10

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

Holy Savior Academy

8.1/10

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

About John F Kennedy Elementary School

John F Kennedy Elementary School is a public elementary school in South Plainfield, NJ, part of South Plainfield School District. John F Kennedy Elementary School serves approximately 259 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. John F Kennedy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,878 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for John F Kennedy Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.8 pts
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,963
Chronic Absenteeism16.6%

John F Kennedy Elementary School — Students at John F Kennedy Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 64.3% (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
62%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
48.6%
ELA
45.2%
2025
Math
46.8%
ELA
44.7%

* 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: 5.1/10.

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
5.3/10
24th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
5.7/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

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

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. John E. Riley Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.7 miles away), 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 8.1
HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY South Plainfield 0.6 mi 8.1
South Plainfield High School South Plainfield 0.7 mi 5.1
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.1
BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Edison 1.0 mi
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 7.7
WARDLAW-HARTRIDGE SCHOOL Edison 1.2 mi 7.7
Roosevelt Elementary School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 7.3
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 5.9
Martin Luther King Elementary School Edison 1.4 mi 6.8
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 3.3
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.7 mi 6.1
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.9 mi 4.4
John Adams Middle School Edison 1.6 mi 6.3
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.9 mi 6.9
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.7 mi 8.1
LIL BIG ONES South Plainfield 2.2 mi
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 2.1 mi 4.0

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
Adlai E. Stevenson School Fairfield, NJ 5.3
Bradley Elementary School Asbury Park, NJ 5.3
Charles R Smith Early Chilhood Center Palisades Park, NJ 5.3
EDGARTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Newfield, NJ 5.3
Edith M. Griebling Elementary School Farmingdale, NJ 5.3
Forest Hill School Camden, NJ 5.3

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 ranks #1,878 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

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

John F Kennedy Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 F Kennedy Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, John F Kennedy Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.6%

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