Excellent
#257 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Top 10% in state
Van Derveer Elementary School
Elementary School · Somerville Public School District
51 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#257 of 2,466
In Somerville
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Somerville Public School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Van Derveer Elementary School
Elementary School in Somerville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bridgewater-raritan Middle School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Adamsville Primary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Van Derveer Elementary School
Van Derveer Elementary School is a public elementary school in Somerville, NJ, part of Somerville Public School District. Van Derveer Elementary School serves approximately 734 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Derveer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #257 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for Van Derveer Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- NJ avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 9.1:1 students to teachers, Van Derveer Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Derveer Elementary School — Students at Van Derveer Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
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: 9.6/10.
How Van Derveer Elementary School Compares
See how Van Derveer 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
51 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Derveer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Somerset Elementary Academy (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Crim Primary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Adamsville Primary School (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Somerville, see our Somerville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 08876 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$120,823
Median Home Value
$468,400
Median Rent
$1,776/mo
Population
22,902
College Educated
56.3%
Homeownership
63.1%
Avg Commute
27.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.6%
Median Age
39.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anna L. Klein Guttenberg, NJ | 8.3 |
| Catherine E. Doyle Elementary School Wood-Ridge, NJ | 8.3 |
| Francis Lore Elementary School Ewing, NJ | 8.3 |
| Harrington Park School Harrington Park, NJ | 8.3 |
| Riker Hill Elementary School Livingston, NJ | 8.3 |
| School No. 1 Fort Lee, NJ | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Derveer Elementary School
What grades does Van Derveer Elementary School serve?
Van Derveer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Van Derveer Elementary School?
Van Derveer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 734 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Derveer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Derveer Elementary School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Derveer Elementary School rank in NJ?
Van Derveer Elementary School ranks #257 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Van Derveer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Derveer Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Van Derveer Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Derveer Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Van Derveer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Van Derveer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Derveer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Van Derveer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Van Derveer Elementary School?
38.1% of students at Van Derveer 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 734
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 81
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Somerset County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.0%
- Phone
- (908) 218-4105
Resources & Links
District
Somerville Public School District- District Enrollment
- 2,182
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,976
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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