Below Average
#2203 of 2,463 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
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
642
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paterson
#34 of 42
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,327 of 1,496
In district
#35 of 42
Paterson Public School District
About School 21
School 21 is a regular public elementary school located in Paterson, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 642 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. School 21 has 42 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students in a large suburban setting.
The academic performance at School 21 currently shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2407 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey (3rd percentile). The school's students are averaging proficiency rates of just 9% in ELA/reading, 4% in math, and no students meeting the standard in science. Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff at School 21 is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
School 21 stands as an integral part of its suburban community in Paterson, providing educational opportunities for local families.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at School 21 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
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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School 21 — Students at School 21 score 6% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 19 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How School 21 Compares
See how School 21 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 6% (2019) to 2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 14% (2019) to 10% (2022).
Location
322 10TH AVENUE, Paterson, NJ 07514
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering School 21 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson (rated 8.1/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edward W. Kilpatrick (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, School 18 (rated 5.9/10, 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 | 5.5 |
| School 13 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Anna Iandoli Early Learning Center Paterson | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| School 26 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| School 1 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 5.0 |
| School 10 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson | 0.6 mi | 3.0 |
| Eastside High School Paterson | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| New Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Memorial Middle School Fair Lawn | 0.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| School 18 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| School 24 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Alternative High School Paterson | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| School 15 Paterson | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex Paterson | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Alexander Hamilton Academy Paterson | 1.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Paterson P-TECH High School Paterson | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding School 21 has a median household income of $65,492. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,400, with a median rent of $1,472/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark, NJ | 4.3 |
| Elms Elementary School Jackson, NJ | 4.3 |
| Fairfield Township School Bridgeton, NJ | 4.3 |
| Garfield Elementary School Kearny, NJ | 4.3 |
| Grace N. Rogers Elementary School Hightstown, NJ | 4.3 |
| Harry S. Truman Elementary School Parlin, NJ | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #2203 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is School 21's MySchoolScout rating?
School 21 has a composite rating of 4.3 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 21?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, School 21 has 3.5% math proficiency and 9.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,339/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paterson). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (973) 321-0210
- 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
- #35 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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