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Below Average

#1973 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Somerset School

Middle School · North Plainfield School District

303 Somerset Street, North Plainfield, NJ 07060

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

4.9

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Plainfield

#6 of 6

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#368 of 441

In district

#6 of 6

North Plainfield School District

About Somerset School

Somerset School is a middle school located in North Plainfield, New Jersey, on Somerset Street. Serving students in grades five and six, the school has an enrollment of 499 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1. With 52 full-time equivalent teachers, Somerset School aims to provide individualized attention to its students.

Somerset School's MySchoolScout rating is 3.0 out of 10, placing it in the 8th percentile among New Jersey schools. Students perform at a level where only 28% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 15% in Math; proficiency rates for Science are notably lower at 1%. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is working to enhance its academic offerings.

Situated in a large suburban area, Somerset School benefits from being part of North Plainfield’s community. The neighborhood around the school offers a mix of residential and local amenities, providing students with a familiar environment conducive to learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Somerset School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24%
Math vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Overall Proficiency19%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,709

Somerset School — Students at Somerset School score 19% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 14.5%
School
State
38.6%
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
53.2%

Based on 11 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
23%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
24%
2024
Math
12.8%
ELA
25.3%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Somerset School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
20th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

303 Somerset Street, North Plainfield, NJ 07060

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Somerset School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hubbard Middle School (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Plainfield Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in North Plainfield, see our North Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 0.3 mi 4.8
Stony Brook School North Plainfield 0.5 mi 5.9
North Plainfield Middle School North Plainfield 0.5 mi 5.4
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 0.6 mi 6.7
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 0.7 mi 4.0
North Plainfield High School North Plainfield 0.6 mi 5.8
East End School North Plainfield 0.8 mi 5.1
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.3
Washington Community School Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.8
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.1 mi 6.0
Pinnacle Academy High School Plainfield 0.9 mi
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.8
The Queen City Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.2 mi 5.9
SUNDANCE SCHOOL North Plainfield 1.1 mi 6.4
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.1 mi 3.8
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.3 mi 6.1
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 4.8
West End School North Plainfield 1.2 mi 5.3
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 1.4 mi 6.0
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 1.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,882

Median Home Value

$369,400

Median Rent

$1,629/mo

Population

47,560

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

37.9%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Somerset School has a median household income of $72,882. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,400, with a median rent of $1,629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Charles W. Lewis Middle School Blackwood, NJ 4.9
Pinelands Regional Jr. High School Little Egg Harbor, NJ 5.0
Russell O. Brackman Middle School Barnegat, NJ 5.0
Dover Middle School Dover, NJ 4.8
Ralph J. Steinhauer Elementary School Maple Shade, NJ 4.8
Salem Middle School Salem, NJ 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Somerset School

What grades does Somerset School serve?

Somerset School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Somerset School?

Somerset School has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Somerset School?

The student-teacher ratio at Somerset School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Somerset School rank in NJ?

Somerset School is ranked #1973 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Somerset School's MySchoolScout rating?

Somerset School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Somerset School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Somerset School has 14.5% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Somerset School a charter school?

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

Is Somerset School a Title I school?

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

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

76.8% of students at Somerset 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

City Safety
High (1,612/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Plainfield). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Somerset County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Plainfield School District
District Enrollment
3,701
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,211
District Rank
#6 of 6

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 methodology

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