Average
#1801 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Van Derveer Elementary School
Elementary School · Somerville Public School District
51 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
734
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Somerville
#3 of 3
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,065 of 1,496
In district
#3 of 3
Somerville Public School District
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Van Derveer Elementary School
Van Derveer Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Somerville, New Jersey. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 734 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 with 81 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is in a large suburban area that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and local amenities.
Van Derveer Elementary focuses on providing a strong educational foundation, though recent academic performance shows room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school ranks at 40th percentile among New Jersey schools with a score of 5.1 out of 10 overall, and an academic score of 4.7/10. In standardized testing, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 35% meet the proficiency mark in Math; Science scores are lower at only 3%.
Despite these challenges, Van Derveer Elementary continues to work diligently to support its diverse student population and improve educational outcomes. The school is embedded within a community that values education and supports children's growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Van Derveer Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Van Derveer Elementary School — Students at Van Derveer Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 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: 4.1/10.
How Van Derveer Elementary School Compares
See how Van Derveer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41% (2022).
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 8.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is RARITAN VALLEY MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STELLAR ACADEMY OF HILLSBOROUGH (rated 6.9/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Hillsborough), which scores notably higher. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Derveer Elementary School has a median household income of $120,823. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $468,400, with a median rent of $1,776/month. The local poverty rate of 5.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln School No. 14 Elizabeth, NJ | 5.3 |
| Adamsville Primary School Bridgewater, NJ | 5.3 |
| Arbor Elementary School Piscataway, NJ | 5.3 |
| Chaplain Charles Watters School Jersey City, NJ | 5.3 |
| Grandview Elementary School Piscataway, NJ | 5.3 |
| Helen L Beeler Marlton, NJ | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #1801 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Van Derveer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Derveer Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Van Derveer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Derveer Elementary School has 34.6% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (820/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Somerville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (908) 218-4105
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Somerville Public School District- District Enrollment
- 2,182
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,976
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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