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Below Average

#2017 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Washington Community School

Elementary School · Plainfield Public School District

427 DARROW AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07060

Enrollment

540

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Plainfield

#13 of 15

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#1,200 of 1,496

In district

#12 of 13

Plainfield Public School District

About Washington Community School

Washington Community School is a regular public elementary school in Plainfield, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 540 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive. Located in a large suburban area, Washington Community School has 39 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting their students' educational journey.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.5 out of 10 and ranks at #2391 among New Jersey’s 2475 schools, placing it in the third percentile academically. Test scores show that 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 20% in math, with no proficiency reported for science. While these numbers indicate areas where academic performance can improve, Washington Community School is committed to focusing on student development and providing a supportive learning environment.

Washington Community School is situated within the Plainfield community, offering students opportunities to engage with their surroundings and build connections within this suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-32.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.9 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,370

Washington Community School — Students at Washington Community School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.5%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 12.4%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 11 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
24%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
21.2%
ELA
11.1%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Washington Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

427 DARROW AVE, Plainfield, NJ 07060

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Washington Community School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charles H. Stillman Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clinton Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUNDANCE SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby North Plainfield), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
The Queen City Academy Charter School Plainfield 0.2 mi 5.9
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 0.3 mi 6.0
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 0.4 mi 4.0
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 0.4 mi 6.3
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 0.5 mi 6.1
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.7
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 3.8
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.4
Somerset School North Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.9
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.0
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.8
North Plainfield Middle School North Plainfield 1.1 mi 5.4
Plainfield High School Plainfield 0.9 mi 3.8
SUNDANCE SCHOOL North Plainfield 1.0 mi 6.4
Stony Brook School North Plainfield 1.2 mi 5.9
North Plainfield High School North Plainfield 1.3 mi 5.8
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 4.8
West End School North Plainfield 1.1 mi 5.3
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 7.1
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07060 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,882

Median Home Value

$369,400

Median Rent

$1,629/mo

Population

47,560

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

37.9%

Avg Commute

29.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.8%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Washington Community School has a median household income of $72,882. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,400, with a median rent of $1,629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.8%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Cherry Street School Bridgeton, NJ 4.8
Clarendon School Secaucus, NJ 4.8
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield, NJ 4.8
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield, NJ 4.8
Jersey City Global Charter School Jersey City, NJ 4.8
Lanoka Harbor Elementary School Lanoka Harbor, NJ 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Washington Community School

What grades does Washington Community School serve?

Washington Community School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Washington Community School?

Washington Community School has an enrollment of approximately 540 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Community School?

The student-teacher ratio at Washington Community School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Washington Community School rank in NJ?

Washington Community School is ranked #2017 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Washington Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Washington Community School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Washington Community School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington Community School has 20.5% math proficiency and 12.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Washington Community School a charter school?

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

Is Washington Community School a Title I school?

No, Washington Community School is not currently a Title I school.

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

84.4% of students at Washington Community 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
High (2,022/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
540
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union 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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