Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Essex County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 183 public elementary schools serving 100,799 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Essex County, NJ are Wyoming School, Essex Fells Elementary School and Harrison Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the New Jersey public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public elementary school average of 64% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Essex County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wyoming School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
55 Myrtle Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 761-1619
Gr: K-4 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Essex Fells Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
102 Hawthorne Rd
Essex Fells, NJ 07021
(973) 226-0505
Gr: PK-6 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
148 North Livingston Ave
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #44.
Deerfield School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
26 Troy Lane
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-4843
Gr: K-4 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Glenwood School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
325 Taylor Road South
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7576
Gr: K-4 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hartshorn School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
400 Hartshorn Drive
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7550
Gr: K-4 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
South Mountain School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2 Southern Slope Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 921-1394
Gr: PK-4 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #88.
Millburn Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
25 Old Short Hills Rd
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 379-2600
Gr: 6-8 | 1,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #99.
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Washington School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
71 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 218-7500
Gr: 5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1111.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
98 Belmont Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Burnet Hill Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
25 Byron Place
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1313.
Grandview Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
35 Hamilton Dr East
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Gr: PK-3 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Gould/mountain Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
132 Gould Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Gr: 4-6 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1515.
Ridgewood Avenue School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
235 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8306
Gr: 3-6 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Gr: K-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
67 Martin Rd
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1818.
Oak View Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
150 Garrabrant Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Gr: K-6 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1919.
North End Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
122 Stevens Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Gr: PK-4 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2020.
Mount Pleasant Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2121.
Brookdale Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1230 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8520
Gr: K-6 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2222.
Riker Hill Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
31 Blackstone Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2323.
Lester C Noecker
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 Passaic Ave
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Gr: PK-6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2424.
Delia Bolden Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
518 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7696
Gr: K-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2525.
Tuscan Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
25 Harvard Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-5221
Gr: K-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2626.
Gregory Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 Gregory Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5397
Gr: K-5 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2727.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
603 Grove St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4242
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2828.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
54 Orange Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4200
Gr: 3-5 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2929.
Watchung Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
14 Garden St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4259
Gr: K-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3030.
Washington School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
155 Washington Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8887
Gr: PK-6 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Forest Avenue School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
118 Forest Ave
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6754
Gr: K-4 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #31 - 3231. - 32.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
18 Crane St
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-3987
Gr: K-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #3333.
Yantacaw School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
20 Yantacaw Place
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8891
Gr: PK-6 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3434.
South Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
444 West South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-5216
Gr: K-5 | 613 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3535.
Edgemont Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
20 Edgemont Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4162
Gr: K-5 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Show 100 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 183 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Essex County, NJ include Wyoming School, Essex Fells Elementary School and Harrison Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Essex County?
185 public elementary schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public elementary schools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NJ):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?

More Articles

Local School Topics
Scholarships
Teaching
Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies