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Very Good

#431 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 18% in state

Robert Waters Elementary School

Elementary School · Union City School District

2800 SUMMIT AVE, Union City, NJ 07087

Enrollment

1,019

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Union City

#5 of 11

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#292 of 1,496

In district

#6 of 14

Union City School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Robert Waters Elementary School

Robert Waters Elementary School serves over 1,000 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Union City, New Jersey. This large public elementary school is located on Summit Avenue in Hudson County's bustling community. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10, the school ranks in the 24th percentile statewide at #1873 out of 2475 New Jersey elementary schools.

Academic performance shows room for growth, with 44% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 30% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. The school serves a diverse student population in an area where the median household income is approximately $60,000 and about one in five families face economic challenges. The surrounding neighborhood reflects Union City's working-class character, with 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and median home values around $448,000.

As one of the larger elementary schools in the region, Robert Waters Elementary provides educational services to a significant portion of Union City's families. The school continues to focus on student development and academic improvement within this vibrant, densely populated community that is home to over 67,000 residents in the 07087 ZIP code area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44%
Math vs. State Avg-17.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected+24.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Per-Pupil Spending$26,604

Robert Waters Elementary School — Students at Robert Waters Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 27.9%
School
State
42.6%
ELA Proficiency 41.4%
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
30%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
44%
2024
Math
31.3%
ELA
44%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Robert Waters Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Location

2800 SUMMIT AVE, Union City, NJ 07087

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Robert Waters Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Colin Powell Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education (rated 7.9/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Union City, see our Union City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Union City High School Union City 0.1 mi 4.0
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.3 mi 7.9
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.4 mi 7.1
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.4 mi 4.8
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.5 mi 9.1
Jefferson Elementary School Union City 0.4 mi 5.8
Emerson Middle School Union City 0.6 mi 7.0
George Washington Elementary School Union City 0.5 mi 5.6
ST FRANCIS ACADEMY Union City 0.6 mi 6.5
Sara M. Gilmore Academy Union City 0.6 mi 6.6
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 4.7
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 8.2
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.7 mi 8.1
Union Hill Middle School Union City 0.6 mi 7.5
Veterans' Memorial Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 6.8
RISING STAR ACADEMY Union City 0.8 mi 6.5
John F Kennedy Elementary School N. Bergen 0.9 mi 5.7
Weehawken High School Weehawken 0.8 mi 5.8
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School Union City 0.9 mi 8.2
Franklin Elementary School N. Bergen 1.2 mi 6.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Robert Waters Elementary School has a median household income of $65,369. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,800, with a median rent of $1,489/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Allen W. Roberts School New Providence, NJ 7.8
Hatikvah International Academy Charter School East Brunswick, NJ 7.8
Rose M. Lopez Elementary School Perth Amboy, NJ 7.8
Campbell Elementary School Metuchen, NJ 7.7
Village Elementary School West Windsor, NJ 7.7
Whiton Elementary School Neshanic Station, NJ 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Robert Waters Elementary School

What grades does Robert Waters Elementary School serve?

Robert Waters Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Robert Waters Elementary School?

Robert Waters Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,019 students.

How does Robert Waters Elementary School rank in NJ?

Robert Waters Elementary School is ranked #431 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Robert Waters Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert Waters Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Robert Waters Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert Waters Elementary School has 27.9% math proficiency and 41.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Robert Waters Elementary School a charter school?

No, Robert Waters Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Robert Waters Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Robert Waters Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert Waters Elementary School?

88.0% of students at Robert Waters 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
85 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
1,019
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hudson 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

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