For the 2026 school year, there are 244 public schools serving 145,774 students in Essex County, NJ (there are 94 private schools, serving 15,432 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Essex County, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Essex County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Wyoming School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
55 Myrtle Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 761-1619
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:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
102 Hawthorne Rd
Essex Fells, NJ 07021
(973) 226-0505
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:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
148 North Livingston Ave
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Deerfield School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
26 Troy Lane
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-4843
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-4843
Gr: K-4 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Millburn High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
462 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,380 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
Glenwood School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
325 Taylor Road South
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7576
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7576
Gr: K-4 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hartshorn School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
400 Hartshorn Drive
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7550
Short Hills, NJ 07078
(973) 379-7550
Gr: K-4 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
South Mountain School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2 Southern Slope Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 921-1394
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 921-1394
Gr: PK-4 | 278 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #99.
Millburn Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Old Short Hills Rd
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 379-2600
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 379-2600
Gr: 6-8 | 1,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1010.
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1111.
Washington School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
71 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 218-7500
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 218-7500
Gr: 5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
98 Belmont Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1313.
Burnet Hill Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
25 Byron Place
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1414.
Grandview Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
35 Hamilton Dr East
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Gr: PK-3 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1515.
Gould/mountain Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
132 Gould Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Gr: 4-6 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Science Park High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
260 Norfolk Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Gr: 7-12 | 964 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1717.
Ridgewood Avenue School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
235 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8306
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8306
Gr: 3-6 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1818.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Gr: K-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1919.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
67 Martin Rd
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2020.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
20 Foxcroft Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 7-8 | 994 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2121.
Oak View Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
150 Garrabrant Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Gr: K-6 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2222.
North End Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
122 Stevens Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Gr: PK-4 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2323.
Mount Pleasant Middle School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 6 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2424.
Brookdale Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1230 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8520
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8520
Gr: K-6 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2525.
Riker Hill Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
31 Blackstone Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: K-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2626.
Lester C Noecker
(Math: 69% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Passaic Ave
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Gr: PK-6 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2727.
Delia Bolden Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
518 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7696
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7696
Gr: K-5 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2828.
Livingston High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Robert Harp Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,081 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2929.
Glen Ridge High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Gr: 7-12 | 799 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #3030.
Tuscan Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
25 Harvard Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-5221
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-5221
Gr: K-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #3131.
Gregory Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 Gregory Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5397
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5397
Gr: K-5 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3232.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
603 Grove St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4242
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4242
Gr: K-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #3333.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
54 Orange Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4200
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4200
Gr: 3-5 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #3434.
Watchung Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14 Garden St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4259
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4259
Gr: K-5 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #3535.
Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
445 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
Gr: 9-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Show 100 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 244 total schools)
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Essex County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Legacy Academy Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
75 Morton St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Gr: 6-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Achieve Community Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
534 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Gr: K-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
15 James St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Gr: K-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
43 Alexander St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Gr: 1-8 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
100 Linden Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
90 Parker Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Gr: 9-12 | 1,263 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Bloomfield Technical Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
209 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
15 Boylan St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Gr: PK-K | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
103 Bragaw Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Gr: K-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
180 Oraton St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Gr: PK-4 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
28 Burnet St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
321 Bergen St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Gr: 5-8 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Career And Innovation Academy Of Orange (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
123 Cleveland Street
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Gr: 9-12
255 Chancellor Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Gr: K-2 | 141 students Minority enrollment: 99%
36 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: K-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
534 Clinton Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Gr: PK | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
26 Speedway Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Gr: PK | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
229 18th Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
557 Fifteenth Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Gr: PK-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
279 Chancellor Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Gr: 6-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Greater Newark Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
72 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Gr: 5-8 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Independence High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
15 Smalley Place
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students
1064 Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: PK | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Gr: K-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
663 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Gr: 5-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
M.e.t.s. Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
211 Sherman Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Gr: 6-12
823 S 16th St
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
33 Maple Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Gr: K-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
108 South 9th St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Gr: K-8 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Memorial Hall High School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
236 Hoover Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Gr: 7-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Merit Preparatory Charter School Of Newark (Closed 2018)
Charter School
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Gr: 5-10 | 494 students
Millburn Regional Day School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
70 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Gr: PK-12 | 3 students
66 Muhammad Ali Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6815
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6815
Gr: PK-8 | 499 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 28 more closed public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 63 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in Essex County, NJ include Wyoming School, Essex Fells Elementary School and Harrison Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Essex County?
248 public schools are located in Essex County.
What percentage of students in Essex County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Essex County are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public schools minority enrollment is 81% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Essex County include: Linden Avenue School vs. Forest Avenue School, University Middle School vs. Union Avenue Middle School, Kipp Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation vs. North Star Academy Charter School
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