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Average

#1157 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 47% in state

Samsel Upper Elementary School

Elementary School · Sayreville School District

298 ERNSTON ROAD, Parlin, NJ 08859

Enrollment

882

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

4th – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,157 of 2,466

In Parlin

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 9

Sayreville School District

Equity

7.3 / 10

Very Good

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Samsel Upper Elementary School

6.6/10

Elementary School in Parlin · grades 4th – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Madison Park Elementary School

6.8/10

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

New Road School of Parlin

Nearby

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

About Samsel Upper Elementary School

Samsel Upper Elementary School is a public elementary school in Parlin, NJ, part of Sayreville School District. Samsel Upper Elementary School serves approximately 882 students, and covers grades 4th-5th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Samsel Upper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,157 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Samsel Upper Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 7.2
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.3 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
Resources & Environment6.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,911
Chronic Absenteeism10%

Samsel Upper Elementary School — Students at Samsel Upper Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 58.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 37 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
81%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
84%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
81%
ELA
65%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
65%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
47%
ELA
53.8%
2025
Math
45.2%
ELA
57.6%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Samsel Upper Elementary School Compares

See how Samsel Upper Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
6.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

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

298 ERNSTON ROAD, Parlin, NJ 08859

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Samsel Upper Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harry S. Truman Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emma Arleth Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Sayreville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Parlin, see our Parlin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Madison Park Elementary School Parlin 0.6 mi 6.8
NEW ROAD SCHOOL OF PARLIN Parlin 0.7 mi
Emma Arleth Elementary School Parlin 0.9 mi 7.9
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School Parlin 0.8 mi 5.9
Sayreville War Memorial High School Parlin 1.1 mi 4.5
Harry S. Truman Elementary School Parlin 1.3 mi 8.3
Sayreville Middle School Parlin 1.3 mi 5.9
Center for Lifelong Learning Parlin 1.3 mi 3.3
Project Before at Selover School South Amboy 1.6 mi 5.3
Cheesequake School Matawan 2.0 mi 5.3
South Amboy Elementary South Amboy 2.0 mi 5.9
South Amboy Middle/High School South Amboy 2.1 mi 3.9
James A. McDivitt Elementary School Old Bridge 3.2 mi 6.2
Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School Perth Amboy 3.4 mi 7.1
Memorial Elementary School Laurence Harbor 2.8 mi 6.8
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Old Bridge 3.6 mi 6.3
GODDARD SCHOOL OF OLD BRIDGE Matawan 3.6 mi
GOOD SHEPHERD CHILDRENS CENTER Old Bridge 3.9 mi
Carl Sandburg Middle School Old Bridge 3.9 mi 8.1
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School Sayreville 3.1 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08859 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,593

Median Home Value

$407,100

Median Rent

$1,625/mo

Population

24,284

College Educated

37.9%

Homeownership

59.1%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.1%

Median Age

38.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
B. Bernice Young Elementary School Burlington, NJ 6.6
Broad Street School Bridgeton, NJ 6.6
Christopher Columbus School No. 15 Elizabeth, NJ 6.6
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark, NJ 6.6
Number 2 Linden, NJ 6.6
Robert Fulton Elementary School North Bergen, NJ 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Samsel Upper Elementary School

What grades does Samsel Upper Elementary School serve?

Samsel Upper Elementary School serves students in grades 4th through 5th.

How many students attend Samsel Upper Elementary School?

Samsel Upper Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 882 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Samsel Upper Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Samsel Upper Elementary School is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Samsel Upper Elementary School rank in NJ?

Samsel Upper Elementary School ranks #1,157 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Samsel Upper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Samsel Upper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Samsel Upper Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Samsel Upper Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Samsel Upper Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Samsel Upper Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Samsel Upper Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Samsel Upper Elementary School?

39.5% of students at Samsel Upper 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
63 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.0%

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