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Average

#1575 of 2,466 schools in NJ

South Amboy Elementary

Elementary School · South Amboy School District

249 JOHN STREET, South Amboy, NJ 08879

Enrollment

580

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,575 of 2,466

In South Amboy

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 2

South Amboy School District

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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South Amboy Elementary

5.9/10

Elementary School in South Amboy · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Amboy Middle/high School

3.9/10

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

Project Before at Selover School

5.3/10

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

About South Amboy Elementary

South Amboy Elementary is a public elementary school in South Amboy, NJ, part of South Amboy School District. South Amboy Elementary serves approximately 580 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. South Amboy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,575 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for South Amboy Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics5.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-15 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,431
Chronic Absenteeism14.5%

South Amboy Elementary — Students at South Amboy Elementary score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 47.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 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
85%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
88%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
83%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
38%
2024
Math
30.3%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
32.9%
ELA
36.8%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How South Amboy Elementary Compares

See how South Amboy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.0/10
Average
Growth
7.2/10
Very Good
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

249 JOHN STREET, South Amboy, NJ 08879

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Amboy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harry S. Truman Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Parlin), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emma Arleth Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Parlin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century School (rated 7.2/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Perth Amboy), which scores notably higher. For more schools in South Amboy, see our South Amboy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Amboy Middle/High School South Amboy 0.3 mi 3.9
Project Before at Selover School South Amboy 0.8 mi 5.3
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School Parlin 1.5 mi 5.9
Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School Perth Amboy 1.5 mi 7.1
Emma Arleth Elementary School Parlin 1.5 mi 7.9
Harry S. Truman Elementary School Parlin 1.5 mi 8.3
William C. McGinnis Middle School Perth Amboy 1.9 mi 5.2
Samsel Upper Elementary School Parlin 2.0 mi 6.6
Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century School Perth Amboy 2.2 mi 7.2
Rose M. Lopez Elementary School Perth Amboy 2.4 mi 6.4
Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School Perth Amboy 2.4 mi 5.6
Perth Amboy Magnet School Perth Amboy 2.4 mi 5.5
Edward J. Patten Elementary School Perth Amboy 2.6 mi 6.1
Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center Perth Amboy 2.7 mi 5.4
Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School Perth Amboy 2.8 mi 5.6
Sayreville War Memorial High School Parlin 2.3 mi 4.5
Madison Park Elementary School Parlin 2.5 mi 6.8
NEW ROAD SCHOOL OF PARLIN Parlin 2.5 mi
Samuel E. Shull Middle School Perth Amboy 2.8 mi 6.1
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Perth Amboy 2.9 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08879 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,000

Median Home Value

$377,700

Median Rent

$1,633/mo

Population

23,263

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

59.7%

Avg Commute

33.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

40.8

Similar Schools

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Amboy Elementary

What grades does South Amboy Elementary serve?

South Amboy Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend South Amboy Elementary?

South Amboy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 580 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Amboy Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at South Amboy Elementary is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Amboy Elementary rank in NJ?

South Amboy Elementary ranks #1,575 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is South Amboy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South Amboy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 South Amboy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Amboy Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Amboy Elementary a charter school?

No, South Amboy Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Amboy Elementary a Title I school?

No, South Amboy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Amboy Elementary?

52.8% of students at South Amboy Elementary 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
75 Very Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
580
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

District

South Amboy School District
District Enrollment
1,202
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,431
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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