Excellent
#403 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Top 16% in state
South Mountain Elementary School
Elementary School · South Orange-Maplewood School District
444 SOUTH ORANGE AVE, S. Orange, NJ 07079
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
650
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#403 of 2,466
In S. Orange
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 10
South Orange-Maplewood School District
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Excellent
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South Mountain Elementary School
Elementary School in S. Orange · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
South Orange Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Delia Bolden Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Mountain Elementary School
South Mountain Elementary School is a public elementary school in S. Orange, NJ, part of South Orange-Maplewood School District. South Mountain Elementary School serves approximately 650 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio.
South Mountain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #403 of 2,466 schools in NJ. Structured state assessment records for South Mountain Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.0 · Excellent
- District avg 7.2
- NJ avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Mountain Elementary School — Students at South Mountain Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 41 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: 8.6/10.
How South Mountain Elementary School Compares
See how South Mountain Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
444 SOUTH ORANGE AVE, S. Orange, NJ 07079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mountain Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gregory Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores slightly higher. Another option is OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby South Orange), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tuscan Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), with a very similar rating. For more schools in S. Orange, see our S. Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Orange Middle School S. Orange | 0.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Columbia High School Maplewood | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL South Orange | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Montrose Early Childhood Center South Orange | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Maplewood Middle School Maplewood | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Clinton Elementary School Maplewood | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| SOUTH ORANGE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL South Orange | 1.2 mi | — |
| STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges South Orange | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Tuscan Elementary School Maplewood | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Gregory Elementary School W. Orange | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Marshall Elementary School S. Orange | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| St. Cloud Elementary School W. Orange | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Wyoming School Millburn | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Heywood Avenue Elementary School Orange | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Roosevelt Middle School W. Orange | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| GOLDA OCH ACADEMY West Orange | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Mt Vernon Place School Newark | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| FEDCAP - 4T Orange | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Forest Street Community Elementary School Orange | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$184,769
Median Home Value
$808,100
Median Rent
$2,067/mo
Population
18,369
College Educated
76.1%
Homeownership
65.6%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clark Mills School Manalapan, NJ | 8.0 |
| Elizabeth Avenue School Somerset, NJ | 8.0 |
| Harry L Bain West New York, NJ | 8.0 |
| Haworth Public School Haworth, NJ | 8.0 |
| J. Fithian Tatem School Haddonfield, NJ | 8.0 |
| Millstone Township Primary School Millstone Township, NJ | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Mountain Elementary School
What grades does South Mountain Elementary School serve?
South Mountain Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South Mountain Elementary School?
South Mountain Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 650 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Mountain Elementary School rank in NJ?
South Mountain Elementary School ranks #403 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is South Mountain Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mountain Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Mountain Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mountain Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Mountain Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Mountain Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Mountain Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Mountain Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mountain Elementary School?
4.2% of students at South Mountain Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 650
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 4.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.0%
- Phone
- (973) 378-5216
Resources & Links
District
South Orange-Maplewood School District- District Enrollment
- 7,047
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,104
- District Rank
- #2 of 10
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