Best Wayne Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public elementary schools serving 5,009 students in Wayne, NJ.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Wayne, NJ are Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School, Packanack Elementary School and Schuyler Colfax Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Wayne, NJ public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the New Jersey public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Wayne have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of New Jersey public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public elementary school average of 64% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Wayne, NJ (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
40 Geoffrey Way
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3150
Gr: K-5 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #22.
Packanack Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
190 Oakwood Drive
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3170
Gr: K-5 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Schuyler Colfax Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1500 Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3130
Gr: 6-8 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1310 Ratzer Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3160
Gr: K-5 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Randall Carter Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
531 Alps Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3145
Gr: K-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
George Washington Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
68 Lenox Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3140
Gr: 6-8 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Anthony Wayne Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
201 Garside Avenue
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 389-2120
Gr: 6-8 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #88.
James Fallon Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
51 Clifford Drive
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3125
Gr: K-5 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #99.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
100 Laauwe Avenue
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3165
Gr: K-5 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1010.
Pines Lake Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
511 Pines Lake Drive
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3175
Gr: K-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1111.
Theunis Dey Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
55 Webster Drive
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3155
Gr: K-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1212.
Ryerson Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
30 Mc Clelland Avenue
Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 633-3180
Gr: K-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 49%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Wayne, NJ?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Wayne, NJ include Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School, Packanack Elementary School and Schuyler Colfax Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Wayne?
12 public elementary schools are located in Wayne.
What is the racial composition of students in Wayne?
Wayne public elementary schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public elementary schools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Wayne are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.