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Excellent

#310 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 13% in state

Sonia Sotomayor School #21

Elementary School · Passaic City School District

225 Madison Street, Passaic, NJ 07055

Enrollment

539

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Passaic

#4 of 18

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#209 of 1,496

In district

#4 of 18

Passaic City School District

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Sonia Sotomayor School #21

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is a regular public elementary school located in Passaic, New Jersey. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 539 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is currently assessed as needing improvement; it holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks 24th percentile among New Jersey schools, placing it at number 1876 out of 2475 schools statewide.

Test scores indicate that only 15% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, 8% in Math, and a mere 2% in Science. Despite these challenges, the school community remains dedicated to supporting its students through various programs aimed at fostering growth and development. Located in a large suburban area, Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is part of an active neighborhood that values education and supports its young learners as they navigate their academic journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Math vs. State Avg-35.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.9 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)6%
vs. Expected+4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$29,274

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 — Students at Sonia Sotomayor School #21 score 10% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 6%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 8.5%
School
State
41.6%
ELA Proficiency 14.6%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 17 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
9.9%
ELA
15%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Sonia Sotomayor School #21 Compares

See how Sonia Sotomayor School #21 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
88th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers

Location

225 Madison Street, Passaic, NJ 07055

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sonia Sotomayor School #21 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sallie D. Gamble School No. 7 (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Daniel F. Ryan Elementary School No. 19 (rated 7.1/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, William B. Cruise Memorial School No. 11 (rated 6.8/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Passaic, see our Passaic schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Passaic Gifted and Talented Academy School No. 20 Passaic 0.0 mi 8.9
Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 6 Passaic 0.2 mi 6.1
NOBLE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Passaic 0.3 mi 6.5
William B. Cruise Memorial School No. 11 Passaic 0.3 mi 6.8
Passaic Arts and Science Charter School Fair Lawn 0.4 mi 5.5
Passaic High School No. 12 Passaic 0.4 mi 5.4
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering Passaic 0.4 mi 8.9
Passaic Preparatory Academy Passaic 0.4 mi 8.6
MESIVTA OF NORTH JERSEY Passaic 0.6 mi
Sallie D. Gamble School No. 7 Passaic 0.5 mi 7.3
Hope Academy Passaic 0.6 mi 7.6
ST NICHOLAS UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Passaic 0.6 mi 6.4
Daniel F. Ryan Elementary School No. 19 Passaic 0.7 mi 7.1
COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Passaic 0.7 mi 6.8
YESHIVA KTANA OF PASSAIC GIRLS Passaic 0.7 mi 2.9
Theodore Roosevelt School No. 10 Passaic 0.7 mi 5.5
Abraham Lincoln School Number 24 Passaic 0.7 mi
Mahatma Gandhi School Number 25 Passaic 0.7 mi 5.2
School #17 Clifton 0.8 mi 6.8
Ellen Ochoa School Number 22 Passaic 0.7 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,780

Median Home Value

$406,500

Median Rent

$1,392/mo

Population

69,651

College Educated

16.9%

Homeownership

23.5%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

23%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sonia Sotomayor School #21 has a median household income of $56,780. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $406,500, with a median rent of $1,392/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Ben Franklin Elementary Lawrenceville, NJ 8.1
Collins Elementary School Livingston, NJ 8.1
Conover Road Primary School Colts Neck, NJ 8.1
Eastlake Elementary School Parsippany, NJ 8.1
Eleanor Van Gelder Edgewater, NJ 8.1
Lincoln Elementary School Ridgefield Park, NJ 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sonia Sotomayor School #21

What grades does Sonia Sotomayor School #21 serve?

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Sonia Sotomayor School #21?

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sonia Sotomayor School #21?

The student-teacher ratio at Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sonia Sotomayor School #21 rank in NJ?

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is ranked #310 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Sonia Sotomayor School #21's MySchoolScout rating?

Sonia Sotomayor School #21 has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Sonia Sotomayor School #21?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sonia Sotomayor School #21 has 8.5% math proficiency and 14.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sonia Sotomayor School #21 a charter school?

No, Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sonia Sotomayor School #21 a Title I school?

No, Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sonia Sotomayor School #21?

99.3% of students at Sonia Sotomayor 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
58 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,559/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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