For the 2025 school year, there are 107 public preschools serving 50,322 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top ranked public preschools in Essex County, NJ are Essex Fells Elementary School, South Mountain School and Burnet Hill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the New Jersey public pre school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 44% statewide average). Pre schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public preschool average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Essex County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 247 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #22.
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 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #33.
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 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #44.
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 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
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 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
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 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #77.
Washington School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
155 Washington Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8887
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8887
Gr: PK-6 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #88.
South Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
444 West South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-5216
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-5216
Gr: PK-5 | 650 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #99.
Spring Garden School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
59 S Spring Garden Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8896
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8896
Gr: PK-6 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1010.
Belleville Ps10
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
527 Belleville Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4334
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4334
Gr: PK-6 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
South End Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
116 Harper Terrace
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-2116
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-2116
Gr: PK-4 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1212.
Bradford Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
87 Mt Hebron Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4155
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4155
Gr: PK-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Radcliffe School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
379 Bloomfield Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 667-8819
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 667-8819
Gr: PK-6 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
27 Berkshire Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7686
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7686
Gr: PK-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1515.
Adlai E. Stevenson School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
15 Knoll Road
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 227-2120
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 227-2120
Gr: PK-2 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1616.
Laning Avenue School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
18 Lanning Rd
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6755
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6755
Gr: PK-4 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 Harrison St
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8882
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8882
Gr: PK-6 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1818.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
289 Main St
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5385
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5385
Gr: PK-5 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1919.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
376 Berkeley Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8550
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8550
Gr: PK-6 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2020.
Forest Street Community Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
651 Forest St
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4120
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4120
Gr: PK-7 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
First Avenue School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
214 First Ave
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5240
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5240
Gr: PK-8 | 1,057 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
Oliver Street School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
86 Oliver St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4870
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4870
Gr: PK-8 | 1,042 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2323.
Philip's Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
342 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Gr: PK-8 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #2424.
Heywood Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
421 Heywood Ave
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4105
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4105
Gr: PK-7 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
106 Prospect Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5895
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5895
Gr: PK-5 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Manchester Place
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Gr: PK-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Dionne Warwick Institute
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Central Ave
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-5930
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-5930
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2828.
Newark Educators Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12 Fulton Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 732-3848
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 732-3848
Gr: PK-4 | 175 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2929.
Langston Hughes Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
160 Rhode Island Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-5870
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-5870
Gr: PK-5 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3030.
Belleville Ps7
(Math: 22% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
20 Passaic Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4338
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4338
Gr: PK-6 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3131.
Ridge Street School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
735 Ridge St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Gr: PK-8 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Lafayette Street School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
205 Lafayette St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4860
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4860
Gr: PK-8 | 1,235 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3333.
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Gr: PK-12 | 2,124 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #3434.
Mt Vernon Place School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
142 Mount Vernon Pl
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2090
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2090
Gr: PK-8 | 878 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Benjamin Banneker Academy
(Math: 13% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 South Clinton Street
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-4320
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 266-4320
Gr: PK-8 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 72 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 107 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 student 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
Show 29 more closed public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 64 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Essex County, NJ?
The top ranked public preschools in Essex County, NJ include Essex Fells Elementary School, South Mountain School and Burnet Hill Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Essex County?
107 public preschools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public preschools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public preschools average of 64% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Essex County include: North End Elementary School vs. South End Elementary School, Linden Avenue School vs. Forest Avenue School, South End Elementary School vs. North End Elementary School
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