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Excellent

#109 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 4% in state

Watchung Elementary School

Elementary School · Middlesex Borough School District

FISHER AVENUE, Middlesex, NJ 08846

Enrollment

210

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Middlesex

#1 of 5

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#70 of 1,496

In district

#1 of 6

Middlesex Borough School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Watchung Elementary School

Watchung Elementary School is a public elementary school in Middlesex, NJ, part of the Middlesex Borough School District. The school serves approximately 210 students in grades Kindergarten – 3rd with a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.6th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 7 points above the state average and 53% in reading/language arts, 9 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $107,063, where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Math vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,480

Watchung Elementary School — Students at Watchung Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 54.9%
School
State
47.9%
ELA Proficiency 52.6%
School
State
43.9%

Based on 7 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2024
Math
68.5%
ELA
61.2%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Watchung Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.7/10
96th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

FISHER AVENUE, Middlesex, NJ 08846

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watchung Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Angelo L. Tomaso School (rated 8.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Warren), with a very similar rating. Another option is Elizabeth Avenue School (rated 7.7/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Somerset), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Robert Morris School (rated 7.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby South Bound Brook Boe), a more accessible option. For more schools in Middlesex, see our Middlesex schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Von E. Mauger Middle School Middlesex 0.1 mi 5.6
Woodland Intermediate School Middlesex 0.1 mi 6.9
Hazelwood Elementary School Middlesex 0.4 mi 7.1
Middlesex High School Middlesex 0.9 mi 4.4
Parker Elementary School Middlesex 1.1 mi 5.0
Community Middle School Bound Brook 1.6 mi 7.3
Bound Brook High School Bound Brook 1.6 mi 5.5
Lafayette Elementary School Bound Brook 1.7 mi 5.9
Smalley Elementary School Bound Brook 1.7 mi 4.8
Robert Morris School South Bound Brook Boe 1.9 mi 7.6
Grandview Elementary School Piscataway 1.8 mi 5.3
Angelo L. Tomaso School Warren 2.2 mi 8.5
LaMonte-Annex Elementary School Bound Brook 1.9 mi 5.9
Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School Green Brook 2.4 mi 4.9
Piscataway Township Schools Children's Corner Piscataway 2.4 mi 5.4
John P. Faber Elementary School Dunellen 2.1 mi 3.5
Knollwood Elementary School Piscataway 2.7 mi 6.0
Theodore Schor Middle School Piscataway 2.2 mi 6.7
Elizabeth Avenue School Somerset 2.6 mi 7.7
Dunellen High School Dunellen 2.4 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,063

Median Home Value

$414,600

Median Rent

$1,493/mo

Population

14,518

College Educated

34.5%

Homeownership

72.6%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

8%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watchung Elementary School has a median household income of $107,063. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,600, with a median rent of $1,493/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Chelsea Heights School Atlantic City, NJ 8.7
Union Township Elementary School Hampton, NJ 8.7
Colonial Road School Franklin Lakes, NJ 8.6
Jessie F. George Elementary Township of Washington, NJ 8.6
Kings Road School Madison, NJ 8.6
Lynn Crest Elementary School Colonia, NJ 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watchung Elementary School

What grades does Watchung Elementary School serve?

Watchung Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Watchung Elementary School?

Watchung Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 210 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watchung Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Watchung Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watchung Elementary School rank in NJ?

Watchung Elementary School is ranked #109 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Watchung Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watchung Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Watchung Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watchung Elementary School has 54.9% math proficiency and 52.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Watchung Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Watchung Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Watchung Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.8% of students at Watchung 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
75 Very Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
210
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Middlesex Borough School District
District Enrollment
2,095
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,484
District Rank
#1 of 6

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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