Average
#1683 of 2,463 schools in NJ
School 12
Elementary School · Paterson Public School District
121 NORTH SECOND STREET, Paterson, NJ 07522
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
482
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paterson
#15 of 42
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#997 of 1,496
In district
#17 of 42
Paterson Public School District
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About School 12
School 12 is a regular public elementary school located in Paterson, New Jersey. It serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 482 students with a student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. The school's setting is in a large suburban area, making it easily accessible for families nearby.
School 12 focuses on providing foundational education to its young learners. With a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranking at the 9th percentile among New Jersey schools, there are areas where the school can work to improve student outcomes. The academic score is currently 1.3 out of 10, indicating room for growth in both ELA/Reading (where 13% of students are proficient or above) and Math (4% proficient or above).
While the current test scores suggest challenges ahead, School 12 aims to support its diverse student body through dedicated teaching staff with a commitment to improving educational outcomes. The school is situated in an area that offers community resources and activities for families, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth. School 12 is part of the larger Paterson community, where students benefit from being in a suburban setting that blends residential living with easy access to city amenities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at School 12 are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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School 12 — Students at School 12 score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 18 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.0/10.
How School 12 Compares
See how School 12 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 3% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
121 NORTH SECOND STREET, Paterson, NJ 07522
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering School 12 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School 28 (rated 8.2/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is AL-HIKMAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.2 miles away, in nearby Prospect Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edward W. Kilpatrick (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paterson, see our Paterson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AL-HIKMAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Prospect Park | 0.2 mi | 8.0 |
| GILMORE MEMORIAL CHRIS ACD Paterson | 0.2 mi | — |
| Prospect Park School No. 1 Prospect Park | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Rev. Dr. Frank Napier Jr. School Paterson | 0.4 mi | 4.5 |
| School 28 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 8.2 |
| School 10 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Norman S. Weir Paterson | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Washington Elementary School Hawthorne | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Newcomers High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | — |
| Paterson P-TECH High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson | 0.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Alexander Hamilton Academy Paterson | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Young Men's Academy Paterson | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Passaic County-Manchester Regional High School Haledon | 1.0 mi | 3.9 |
| School 2 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| School 5 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Dale Avenue Paterson | 1.1 mi | 6.1 |
| COMPASSION HOUSE OUTREACH MNSTR & CHRSTAN EDUC CTR Paterson | 1.1 mi | — |
| College Achieve Paterson Charter School Tinton Falls | 1.1 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07522 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,002
Median Home Value
$264,000
Median Rent
$1,458/mo
Population
22,599
College Educated
9.5%
Homeownership
21%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
28.5%
Median Age
31.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding School 12 has a median household income of $48,002. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $264,000, with a median rent of $1,458/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alexandria Township School Pittstown, NJ | 5.5 |
| Charles Olbon School Woodland Park, NJ | 5.5 |
| Copper Hill Elementary School Ringoes, NJ | 5.5 |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School Parlin, NJ | 5.5 |
| Greenville Elementary School Howell, NJ | 5.5 |
| Kennedy Elementary School Harrison, NJ | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about School 12
What grades does School 12 serve?
School 12 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend School 12?
School 12 has an enrollment of approximately 482 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at School 12?
The student-teacher ratio at School 12 is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does School 12 rank in NJ?
School 12 is ranked #1683 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is School 12's MySchoolScout rating?
School 12 has a composite rating of 5.5 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 School 12?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, School 12 has 4.5% math proficiency and 12.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is School 12 a charter school?
No, School 12 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is School 12 a Title I school?
No, School 12 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for School 12?
72.0% of students at School 12 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,339/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paterson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 482
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Passaic County
- Phone
- (973) 321-0120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paterson Public School District- District Enrollment
- 24,692
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,885
- District Rank
- #17 of 42
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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