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Very Good

#472 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 19% in state

Watchung Elementary School

Elementary School · Montclair Public School District

14 GARDEN ST, Montclair, NJ 07042

Enrollment

385

Student-Teacher

11.7:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montclair

#6 of 8

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#320 of 1,496

In district

#7 of 11

Montclair Public School District

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Watchung Elementary School

Watchung Elementary School serves 385 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Montclair's affluent suburban setting. With 33 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #197 out of 2,475 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile.

Students show solid proficiency across core subjects, with 72% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 62% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. Watchung Elementary benefits from its location in an educationally supportive community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood reflects economic stability, with a median household income of $130,329 and a low poverty rate of 7.1%.

These community characteristics often translate into strong family engagement and educational resources that complement classroom learning. The school's consistent academic achievement and small class sizes make it an attractive option for families seeking quality elementary education. Located on Garden Street in this well-established Essex County community, Watchung Elementary sits in a large suburban area that provides a stable, family-oriented environment for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+14.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+28.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,659

Watchung Elementary School — Students at Watchung Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

9.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 63.8%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 67.6%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 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
75%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
66.2%
ELA
68.4%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Watchung Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
10%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

14 GARDEN ST, Montclair, NJ 07042

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watchung Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Edgemont Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles H. Bullock School (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hillside Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Montclair, see our Montclair schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTCLAIR COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Montclair 0.6 mi 7.2
Montclair High School Montclair 0.5 mi 7.2
Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building Montclair 0.6 mi 8.3
Edgemont Elementary School Montclair 0.5 mi 8.8
THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY Montclair 0.6 mi 7.1
Forest Avenue School Glen Ridge 0.8 mi 5.1
Buzz Aldrin Middle School Upper Montclair 0.9 mi 7.0
ST CASSIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Upper Montclair 0.9 mi 7.0
LACORDAIRE ACADEMY Upper Montclair 1.0 mi 8.1
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL Montclair 1.0 mi 6.9
FUSION ACADEMY - MONTCLAIR Montclair 1.2 mi 7.0
LOOKING GLASS CHILDREN'S CENTER Bloomfield 1.1 mi
Charles H. Bullock School Montclair 1.4 mi 8.8
Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield 1.1 mi 6.1
Northeast Elementary School Upper Montclair 1.4 mi 7.4
Hillside Elementary School Montclair 1.3 mi 8.8
Glenfield Middle School Montclair 1.5 mi 7.8
Brookdale Elementary School Bloomfield 1.3 mi 7.9
RAINBOW MONTESSORI INC Bloomfield 1.4 mi
MAARIF SCHOOL Bloomfield 1.6 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,083

Median Home Value

$733,100

Median Rent

$2,017/mo

Population

27,173

College Educated

67.1%

Homeownership

50.3%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Watchung Elementary School has a median household income of $127,083. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $733,100, with a median rent of $2,017/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Bee Meadow School Whippany, NJ 7.7
Brighton Avenue School Atlantic City, NJ 7.7
Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange, NJ 7.7
Frank J Smith Elementary East Hanover, NJ 7.7
G.H. Carson Elementary School Pennsauken, NJ 7.7
Grandview Elementary School N. Caldwell, NJ 7.7

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 5th.

How many students attend Watchung Elementary School?

Watchung Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 385 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 #472 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Watchung Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Watchung Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 63.8% math proficiency and 67.6% 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?

9.6% 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
80 Very Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (954/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
9.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex 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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