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Average

#1919 of 2,466 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

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,919 of 2,466

In Plainfield

#12 of 19

public schools

In district

#10 of 14

Plainfield Public School District

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Washington Community School

5.2/10

Elementary School in Plainfield · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

The Queen City Academy Charter School

5.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hubbard Middle School

6.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Washington Community School

Washington Community School is a public elementary school in Plainfield, NJ, part of Plainfield Public School District. Washington Community School serves approximately 540 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Washington Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,919 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Washington Community School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Washington Community School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+1.57 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-29.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.1 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,788
Chronic Absenteeism27%

Washington Community School — Students at Washington Community School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 19.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 37 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
46%
ELA
26%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
25%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
23%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
27%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
15%
ELA
10%
2024
Math
21.2%
ELA
11.1%
2025
Math
18.6%
ELA
16.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Washington Community School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
22th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.0%

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. Franklin Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby South Plainfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is West End School (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby North Plainfield), 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 5.6
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 0.3 mi 6.9
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 0.4 mi 6.4
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 0.4 mi 4.0
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 0.5 mi 6.1
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 4.4
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 8.1
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.2
Somerset School North Plainfield 1.0 mi 7.2
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 5.9
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield 1.0 mi 4.6
North Plainfield Middle School North Plainfield 1.1 mi 8.2
Plainfield High School Plainfield 0.9 mi 3.3
SUNDANCE SCHOOL North Plainfield 1.0 mi 6.4
Stony Brook School North Plainfield 1.2 mi 6.3
North Plainfield High School North Plainfield 1.3 mi 4.8
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 4.4
West End School North Plainfield 1.1 mi 7.3
South Plainfield Middle School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 7.7
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 1.4 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Center Grove School Randolph, NJ 5.2
Clayton J. Davenport Elementary School Egg Harbor Township, NJ 5.2
Cooper's Poynt Family School Camden, NJ 5.2
Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary School Minotola, NJ 5.2
Dr. Leroy McCloud Elementary School Englewood, NJ 5.2
East Dover Elementary School Dover, NJ 5.2

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 ranks #1,919 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Washington Community School's MySchoolScout rating?

Washington Community School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Washington Community School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Washington Community School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.0%

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