Skip to main content

Average

#1008 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 41% in state

Union School

Middle School · Rutherford School District

359 UNION AVE, Rutherford, NJ 07070

Enrollment

384

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

6.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rutherford

#4 of 5

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#184 of 441

In district

#4 of 5

Rutherford School District

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Union School

Union School serves 384 students in grades 7-8 in Rutherford, New Jersey, providing a focused middle school experience with an excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 and 39 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a solid 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 81st percentile statewide at #475 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools. Academically, Union School shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 71% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 48% of students achieving proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.7 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student development during these crucial middle school years. Union School draws families from an affluent and well-educated community, where the median household income reaches $128,576 and 56% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.1% and median home values of $572,300 reflect the area's economic stability. Located on Union Avenue in this large suburban community of nearly 19,000 residents in Bergen County, Union School serves students in a well-established and prosperous educational environment.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Union School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected-1.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,926

Union School — Students at Union School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
39.7%
ELA Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
53.8%

Based on 10 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
58%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
61.4%
ELA
76.1%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Union School Compares

See how Union School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
59th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
6%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

359 UNION AVE, Rutherford, NJ 07070

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Alfred S. Faust Middle School (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby East Rutherford), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pierrepont School (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Rutherford, see our Rutherford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Washington School Rutherford 0.5 mi 8.0
Lincoln School Rutherford 0.7 mi 8.1
Rutherford High School Rutherford 0.6 mi 6.3
McKenzie School East Rutherford 0.7 mi 5.6
Jefferson (Annex) Elementary School Wallington 1.0 mi 2.6
Pierrepont School Rutherford 1.1 mi 6.9
Lincoln School East Rutherford 0.8 mi 9.2
Alfred S. Faust Middle School East Rutherford 0.9 mi 8.6
MONTESSORI SCHOOL-EAST RUTHERFORD East Rutherford 0.9 mi
Mario Drago School No. 3 Passaic 1.1 mi 6.0
School #8 Clifton 1.0 mi 3.9
Jefferson School Lyndhurst 1.4 mi 6.0
YESHIVA KTANA OF PASSAIC BOYS' Passaic 1.1 mi 3.9
Frank W. Gavlak Elementary School Wallington 1.3 mi 4.9
Wallington Junior Senior High School Wallington 1.4 mi 5.3
YESHIVA KTANA OF PASSAIC GIRLS Passaic 1.3 mi 2.9
MESIVTA OF CLIFTON Clifton 1.1 mi 6.5
Memorial School Lyndhurst 1.4 mi 5.0
MESIVTA OF NORTH JERSEY Passaic 1.4 mi
Carlstadt Public School Carlstadt 1.2 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07070 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$136,069

Median Home Value

$580,800

Median Rent

$1,859/mo

Population

18,748

College Educated

58.8%

Homeownership

63.1%

Avg Commute

34.6 min

Poverty Rate

4.8%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union School has a median household income of $136,069. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $580,800, with a median rent of $1,859/month. The local poverty rate of 4.8% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Allamuchy Township School Allamuchy, NJ 6.8
Conackamack Middle School Piscataway, NJ 6.8
Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Tabernacle, NJ 6.8
Millstone Township Middle School Millstone Township, NJ 6.8
Central Middle School Stirling, NJ 6.7
Halsted Middle School Newton, NJ 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union School

What grades does Union School serve?

Union School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Union School?

Union School has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union School rank in NJ?

Union School is ranked #1008 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Union School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union School has a composite rating of 6.8 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.

What are the test scores at Union School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union School has 49.5% math proficiency and 72.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Union School a charter school?

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

Is Union School a Title I school?

No, Union School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union School?

6.2% of students at Union 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

City Safety
Elevated (876/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rutherford School District
District Enrollment
2,544
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,219
District Rank
#4 of 5

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.