Below Average
#2256 of 2,466 schools in NJ
School 21
Elementary School · Paterson Public School District
322 10TH AVENUE, Paterson, NJ 07514
Enrollment
642
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
642
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,256 of 2,466
In Paterson
#34 of 46
public schools
In district
#31 of 43
Paterson Public School District
Shortlisting around School 21?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
School 21
Elementary School in Paterson · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
School 13
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About School 21
School 21 is a public elementary school in Paterson, NJ, part of Paterson Public School District. School 21 serves approximately 642 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. School 21 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,256 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for School 21 show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 5.7
- NJ avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at School 21 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.
42% of students at School 21 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
School 21 — Students at School 21 score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 53 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: 6.7/10.
How School 21 Compares
See how School 21 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
322 10TH AVENUE, Paterson, NJ 07514
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering School 21 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School 1 (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson (rated 7.6/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, School 15 (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paterson, see our Paterson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts Paterson | 0.3 mi | 3.2 |
| School 13 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Anna Iandoli Early Learning Center Paterson | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| School 26 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| School 1 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| School 10 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Eastside High School Paterson | 0.8 mi | 2.5 |
| Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| New Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Memorial Middle School Fair Lawn | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson | 0.8 mi | 2.5 |
| School 18 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| School 24 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Alternative High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | 3.5 |
| School 15 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex Paterson | 1.1 mi | 3.0 |
| Alexander Hamilton Academy Paterson | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Paterson P-TECH High School Paterson | 1.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson | 1.2 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07514 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,492
Median Home Value
$314,400
Median Rent
$1,472/mo
Population
18,912
College Educated
12.4%
Homeownership
30.6%
Avg Commute
21.9 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
39.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anthony Rossi Elementary School Vineland, NJ | 4.2 |
| Buckshutem Road School Bridgeton, NJ | 4.2 |
| Cecil S. Collins Elementary Barnegat, NJ | 4.2 |
| Cedar Mountain Primary School Vernon, NJ | 4.2 |
| Henry B. Wilson Family School Camden, NJ | 4.2 |
| Patricia M. Noonan School PS #26 Jersey City, NJ | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about School 21
What grades does School 21 serve?
School 21 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend School 21?
School 21 has an enrollment of approximately 642 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at School 21?
The student-teacher ratio at School 21 is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does School 21 rank in NJ?
School 21 ranks #2,256 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is School 21's MySchoolScout rating?
School 21 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 21?
Based on loaded state assessment records, School 21 has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is School 21 a charter school?
No, School 21 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is School 21 a Title I school?
No, School 21 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for School 21?
52.0% of students at School 21 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 642
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Passaic County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.9%
- Phone
- (973) 321-0210
Resources & Links
District
Paterson Public School District- District Enrollment
- 24,692
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,885
- District Rank
- #31 of 43
Other Schools in This District
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.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.