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Very Good

#460 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 19% in state

Ola Edwards Community School

Elementary School · Hillside Public School District

1530 LESLIE ST, Hillside, NJ 07205

Enrollment

394

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

2nd – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hillside

#1 of 6

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#312 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 7

Hillside Public School District

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Ola Edwards Community School

Ola Edwards Community School is a public elementary school located in the suburban area of Hillside, New Jersey. Serving students from second through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 394 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.3:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. Ola Edwards Community School is situated in a large suburban setting, offering a nurturing environment for its young learners.

While the academic performance ratings suggest there's room for growth—Ola Edwards ranks at the 46th percentile among New Jersey schools with an overall rating of 5.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 3.5 out of 10—the school is focused on student development in areas like ELA/Reading, Math, and Science. Approximately 44% of students are proficient or above in reading and writing, 23% in math, and only 5% in science. Ola Edwards Community School is part of a larger suburban community in Hillside, providing students with access to typical suburban amenities like parks, shopping centers, and local cultural events.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41%
Math vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,674

Ola Edwards Community School — Students at Ola Edwards Community School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
42.6%
ELA Proficiency 43.6%
School
State
50.4%

Based on 15 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
41%
2024
Math
25.7%
ELA
47.6%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Ola Edwards Community School Compares

See how Ola Edwards Community School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

1530 LESLIE ST, Hillside, NJ 07205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ola Edwards Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hurden Looker School (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Deanna G. Taylor Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bruce Street School (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Newark), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hillside, see our Hillside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 0.4 mi 6.7
TRINITY TEMPLE ACADEMY Hillside 0.5 mi 4.1
Weequahic High School Newark 0.4 mi 4.1
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 0.4 mi 5.9
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Hillside 0.6 mi 4.4
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 0.6 mi 7.2
Hurden Looker School Hillside 0.8 mi 7.6
Mt. Vernon Avenue Elementary School Irvington 0.8 mi 6.2
Bruce Street School Newark 0.8 mi 6.9
George Washington Carver Elementary School Newark 0.8 mi 4.7
Union Avenue Middle School Irvington 0.8 mi 5.4
Augusta Preschool Academy Irvington 1.1 mi 6.1
Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Hillside 1.1 mi 5.4
Hillside High School Hillside 1.1 mi 5.2
Hillside Innovation Academy Hillside 1.2 mi 7.0
Deanna G. Taylor Academy Hillside 1.0 mi 7.6
Chancellor Avenue Elementary School Irvington 1.1 mi 6.7
Hawthorne Avenue School Newark 1.1 mi 4.5
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Irvington 1.3 mi 4.2
University High School Newark 1.3 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,558

Median Home Value

$363,200

Median Rent

$1,712/mo

Population

22,179

College Educated

28.9%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ola Edwards Community School has a median household income of $98,558. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,200, with a median rent of $1,712/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Bee Meadow School Whippany, NJ 7.7
Brighton Avenue School Atlantic City, NJ 7.7
Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange, NJ 7.7
Frank J Smith Elementary East Hanover, NJ 7.7
G.H. Carson Elementary School Pennsauken, NJ 7.7
Grandview Elementary School N. Caldwell, NJ 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ola Edwards Community School

What grades does Ola Edwards Community School serve?

Ola Edwards Community School serves students in grades 2nd through 6th.

How many students attend Ola Edwards Community School?

Ola Edwards Community School has an enrollment of approximately 394 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ola Edwards Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ola Edwards Community School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ola Edwards Community School rank in NJ?

Ola Edwards Community School is ranked #460 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Ola Edwards Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ola Edwards Community School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Ola Edwards Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ola Edwards Community School has 22.6% math proficiency and 43.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ola Edwards Community School a charter school?

No, Ola Edwards Community School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ola Edwards Community School a Title I school?

No, Ola Edwards Community School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ola Edwards Community School?

76.6% of students at Ola Edwards Community 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
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
2nd – 6th
Enrollment
394
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hillside Public School District
District Enrollment
3,046
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,458
District Rank
#1 of 7

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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