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Needs Improvement

#2355 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Based on limited data

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School

Elementary School · Teaneck School District

ONE MERRISON STREET, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NJ statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

134

Student-Teacher

33.5:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – Kindergarten

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Teaneck

#9 of 9

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#1,423 of 1,496

In district

#8 of 8

Teaneck School District

About Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the suburban town of Teaneck, New Jersey. Serving preschool through kindergarten students, the school has an enrollment of 134 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 33.5:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size, Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is focused on providing foundational educational experiences for young learners.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and its state ranking of #2049 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey (17th percentile) indicate that while there may be room for improvement, the school is dedicated to student development and community engagement. The lack of specific test score data suggests that other factors beyond standardized testing play a significant role in the educational experience at this elementary school. Located in a large suburban area, Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School benefits from its surroundings, offering students access to a variety of resources and activities within Teaneck’s community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 134 students, Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is 33.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on NJ state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio33.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,659

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School Compares

See how Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
4th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
34:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

ONE MERRISON STREET, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. William Cullen Bryant School (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YESHIVAT HE'ATID (rated 6.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Teaneck, see our Teaneck schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
HEICHAL HATORAH Teaneck 0.2 mi 6.7
Teaneck High School Teaneck 0.3 mi 6.8
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Teaneck 0.5 mi 7.1
THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL INC. Teaneck 0.5 mi 7.8
COMMUNITY SCHOOL Teaneck 0.6 mi 7.8
Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School Teaneck 0.7 mi 7.8
Benjamin Franklin Middle School Teaneck 0.9 mi 7.8
Teaneck Community Charter school Teaneck 0.9 mi 4.2
YESHIVAT HE'ATID Teaneck 1.2 mi 6.7
James Russell Lowell Elementary School Teaneck 1.0 mi 6.2
ACADEMY OF GREATNESS AND EXCELLENCE Teaneck 0.9 mi 6.9
SINAI HIGH SCHOOL AT TABC Teaneck 1.3 mi
FUSION ACADEMY ENGLEWOOD Englewood 1.0 mi
WILBERT F MAYS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Teaneck 1.1 mi 4.7
Bogota Jr./Sr. High School Bogota 1.1 mi 6.1
William Cullen Bryant School Teaneck 1.3 mi 8.1
John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary School Teaneck 1.3 mi 6.6
MAAYANOT YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Teaneck 1.4 mi 6.5
Bogota Middle School Bogota 1.3 mi 7.6
Leonia High School Leonia 1.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07666 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,311

Median Home Value

$496,400

Median Rent

$1,850/mo

Population

41,499

College Educated

54.3%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.5%

Median Age

37.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School has a median household income of $134,311. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,400, with a median rent of $1,850/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Downe Township Elementary School Newport, NJ 3.8
Farmingdale Elementary Farmingdale, NJ 3.8
Clyde S. Jennings Elementary School Oaklyn, NJ 3.7
Franklin D Roosevelt Elementary School North Arlington, NJ 3.9
New Hanover Township School Wrightstown, NJ 3.9
School #8 Clifton, NJ 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School

What grades does Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School serve?

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.

How many students attend Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School?

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is 33.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School rank in NJ?

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is ranked #2355 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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.

Is Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School a charter school?

No, Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Theodora Smiley Lacey Elementary School?

35.1% of students at Theodora Smiley Lacey 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (0/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher Ratio
33.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen 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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