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Below Average

#2233 of 2,466 schools in NJ

School 20

Elementary School · Paterson Public School District

500 EAST 37TH STREET, Paterson, NJ 07504

Enrollment

345

Student-Teacher

10.5:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,233 of 2,466

In Paterson

#33 of 46

public schools

In district

#30 of 43

Paterson Public School District

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School 20

4.3/10

Elementary School in Paterson · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

3.0/10

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

School 25

6.2/10

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

About School 20

School 20 is a public elementary school in Paterson, NJ, part of Paterson Public School District. School 20 serves approximately 345 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio. School 20 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,233 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for School 20 show 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at School 20 sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

38% of students at School 20 were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-35.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.4 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-25.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,885
Chronic Absenteeism38.3%

School 20 — Students at School 20 score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 12.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 19.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 55 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
36%
ELA
30%
2010
Math
39%
ELA
28%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
25%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
13%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
4%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
4.1%
ELA
13.7%
2025
Math
6.1%
ELA
12.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How School 20 Compares

See how School 20 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

Location

500 EAST 37TH STREET, Paterson, NJ 07504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering School 20 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School 1 (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles J. Riley/ School 9 (rated 8.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 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
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex Paterson 0.4 mi 3.0
School 25 Paterson 0.6 mi 6.2
Memorial Middle School Elmwood Park 0.6 mi 5.8
Memorial Senior High School Elmwood Park 0.6 mi 4.6
Anna Iandoli Early Learning Center Paterson 0.8 mi 5.2
School 24 Paterson 0.7 mi 5.5
School 13 Paterson 0.9 mi 4.9
Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts Paterson 1.1 mi 3.2
Students Transitioning and Achieving Real Success Paterson 1.0 mi 4.0
Paterson STEAM High School Paterson 1.0 mi 3.4
School 26 Paterson 1.1 mi 4.7
School 1 Paterson 1.1 mi 8.4
School 16 Paterson 0.9 mi 6.2
Gilbert Avenue School Elmwood Park 0.9 mi 4.6
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology Paterson 1.0 mi 5.9
New Roberto Clemente Paterson 1.0 mi 5.1
Roberto Clemente Paterson 1.1 mi 5.2
Charles J. Riley/ School 9 Paterson 1.1 mi 8.1
Eastside High School Paterson 1.1 mi 2.5
Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson 1.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,269

Median Home Value

$369,600

Median Rent

$1,426/mo

Population

13,485

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

38.3%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

18.4%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles L. Spragg School Egg Harbor City, NJ 4.3
Etta Gero School No. 9 Passaic, NJ 4.3
Lincoln School Annex Fairview, NJ 4.3
North Dover Elementary School Toms River, NJ 4.3
Paul W Carleton Penns Grove, NJ 4.3
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Red Bank, NJ 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about School 20

What grades does School 20 serve?

School 20 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend School 20?

School 20 has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at School 20?

The student-teacher ratio at School 20 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 School 20 rank in NJ?

School 20 ranks #2,233 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is School 20's MySchoolScout rating?

School 20 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 School 20?

Based on loaded state assessment records, School 20 has 12% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is School 20 a charter school?

No, School 20 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is School 20 a Title I school?

No, School 20 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for School 20?

60.0% of students at School 20 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

District

Paterson Public School District
District Enrollment
24,692
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
District Rank
#30 of 43

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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