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Average

#1172 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 48% in state

South Plainfield High School

High School · South Plainfield School District

200 LAKE STREET, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Enrollment

1,091

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In South Plainfield

#2 of 6

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#191 of 422

In district

#2 of 7

South Plainfield School District

Academic growth

7.4 / 10

Strong

About South Plainfield High School

South Plainfield High School serves 1,091 students in grades 9-12 in this well-established Middlesex County community. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school ranks #1,073 out of 2,475 New Jersey high schools, placing it in the 57th percentile statewide with a 6.1/10 rating from MySchoolScout.

Academic performance shows 52% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while math proficiency stands at 40%, indicating areas with room for continued academic growth and development. South Plainfield High School is situated in an affluent suburban community where the median household income reaches $123,516 and the median home value is $417,500. The surrounding ZIP code of 07080 is home to 24,256 residents, with 43% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a notably low poverty rate of just 3.6%.

Students benefit from being part of a stable, educated community that values learning and achievement. The school's location on Lake Street places it at the heart of this large suburban area, where families have chosen to invest in a community known for its residential character and commitment to education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg-1.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,362

South Plainfield High School — Students at South Plainfield High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.1%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
33%
ELA
58%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
40%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
60%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How South Plainfield High School Compares

See how South Plainfield High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
96 teachers

Location

200 LAKE STREET, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Plainfield High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is South Plainfield Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Charles H. Stillman Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), with a very similar rating. For more schools in South Plainfield, see our South Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 0.1 mi 4.6
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 0.3 mi 7.1
HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY South Plainfield 0.6 mi 8.1
John E. Riley Elementary School South Plainfield 0.6 mi 4.1
John F Kennedy Elementary School South Plainfield 0.7 mi 4.5
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 6.0
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.1 mi 6.1
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 3.8
Roosevelt Elementary School South Plainfield 1.3 mi 5.7
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.3 mi 6.0
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.5 mi 3.8
The Queen City Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.3 mi 5.9
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.6 mi 4.8
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.6 mi 6.3
Washington Community School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.8
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 1.7 mi 4.0
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 1.9 mi 6.7
BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Edison 1.6 mi
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 1.7 mi 6.4
LIL BIG ONES South Plainfield 2.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,161

Median Home Value

$444,100

Median Rent

$1,928/mo

Population

24,215

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

85.1%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

41.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Plainfield High School has a median household income of $126,161. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $444,100, with a median rent of $1,928/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Pequannock Township High School Pompton Plains, NJ 6.5
Seneca High School Tabernacle, NJ 6.5
THE LAWRENCEVILLE SCHOOL Lawrenceville, NJ 6.5
Westwood Regional High School Township of Washington, NJ 6.5
Arthur L. Johnson High School Clark, NJ 6.4
Clearview Regional High School Mullica Hill, NJ 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Plainfield High School

What grades does South Plainfield High School serve?

South Plainfield High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Plainfield High School?

South Plainfield High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,091 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Plainfield High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Plainfield High School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Plainfield High School rank in NJ?

South Plainfield High School is ranked #1172 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is South Plainfield High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Plainfield High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 South Plainfield High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Plainfield High School has 34.1% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Plainfield High School a charter school?

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

Is South Plainfield High School a Title I school?

No, South Plainfield High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Plainfield High School?

30.9% of students at South Plainfield High 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

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,048/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,091
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
96
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex 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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