Top 10 Best Essex County Public Preschools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 99 public preschools serving 44,117 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top ranked public preschools in Essex County, NJ are South Mountain School, Essex Fells Elementary School and Grandview 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 12% (versus the New Jersey public pre school average of 21%), and reading proficiency score of 29% (versus the 39% 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 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public preschool average of 63% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Essex County (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
South Mountain School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2 Southern Slope Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 921-1394
Grades: PK-4
| 288 students
Rank: #22.
Essex Fells Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
102 Hawthorne Rd
Essex Fells, NJ 07021
(973) 226-0505
Grades: PK-6
| 253 students
Rank: #33.
Grandview Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
35 Hamilton Dr East
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Grades: PK-3
| 399 students
Rank: #44.
Burnet Hill Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
25 Byron Place
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: PK-5
| 449 students
Rank: #55.
Lester C Noecker
(Math: 48% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
100 Passaic Ave
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Grades: PK-6
| 465 students
Rank: #66.
South Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
444 West South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-5216
Grades: PK-5
| 589 students
Rank: #77.
Spring Garden School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
59 S Spring Garden Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8896
Grades: PK-6
| 439 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Oak View Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
150 Garrabrant Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Grades: PK-6
| 314 students
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Radcliffe School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
379 Bloomfield Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 667-8819
Grades: PK-6
| 346 students
Rank: #1010.
Bradford Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
87 Mt Hebron Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4155
Grades: PK-5
| 357 students
Rank: #1111.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
27 Berkshire Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7686
Grades: PK-5
| 550 students
Rank: #1212.
Laning Avenue School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
18 Lanning Rd
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6755
Grades: PK-4
| 225 students
Rank: #1313.
North End Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
122 Stevens Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Grades: PK-4
| 290 students
Rank: #1414.
Belleville Ps10
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
527 Belleville Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4334
Grades: PK-6
| 182 students
Rank: #1515.
Adlai E. Stevenson School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
15 Knoll Road
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 227-2120
Grades: PK-3
| 413 students
Rank: #1616.
South End Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
116 Harper Terrace
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-2116
Grades: PK-4
| 336 students
Rank: #1717.
Philip's Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
342 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Grades: PK-8
| 575 students
Rank: #1818.
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Grades: PK-12
| 1,985 students
Rank: #1919.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
376 Berkeley Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8550
Grades: PK-6
| 452 students
Rank: #2020.
First Avenue School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
214 First Ave
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5240
Grades: PK-8
| 1,081 students
Rank: #2121.
Forest Street Community Elementary School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
651 Forest St
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4120
Grades: PK-7
| 390 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Belleville Ps7
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Passaic Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4338
Grades: PK-6
| 420 students
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Heywood Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
421 Heywood Ave
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4105
Grades: PK-7
| 363 students
Rank: #2424.
Oliver Street School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
86 Oliver St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4870
Grades: PK-8
| 1,109 students
Rank: #2525.
Mt Vernon Place School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
142 Mount Vernon Pl
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2090
Grades: PK-8
| 775 students
Rank: #2626.
Belleville Ps4
(Math: 8% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
30 Magnolia Street
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4340
Grades: PK-6
| 448 students
Rank: #2727.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Manchester Place
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Grades: PK-8
| 789 students
Rank: #2828.
Sussex Avenue School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
307 Sussex Ave
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5200
Grades: PK-8
| 446 students
Rank: #2929.
Lafayette Street School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
205 Lafayette St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4860
Grades: PK-8
| 1,213 students
Rank: #3030.
South Street Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
44-48 Hermon Street
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4880
Grades: PK-8
| 900 students
Rank: #3131.
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
125 Sussex Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 621-0060
Grades: PK-12
| 1,362 students
Rank: #3232.
Mckinley Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Colonnade Pl
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5270
Grades: PK-8
| 722 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
106 Prospect Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5895
Grades: PK-5
| 235 students
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
289 Main St
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5385
Grades: PK-5
| 395 students
Rank: #3535.
Belleville Ps8
(Math: 7% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
183 Union Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4344
Grades: PK-6
| 478 students
Show 64 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 99 total schools)
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[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Essex County, NJ

Essex County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
75 Morton St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Grades: 6-8
| 255 students
74 Montgomery St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6911
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
15 James St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Grades: K-8
| 331 students
43 Alexander St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Grades: 1-8
| 385 students
100 Linden Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Grades: K-5
| 310 students
90 Parker Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Grades: 9-12
| 1,263 students
209 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Grades: 9-12
| 509 students
15 Boylan St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Grades: PK-K
| 57 students
103 Bragaw Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Grades: K-8
| 250 students
228 Ridge St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5220
Grades: PK-4
| n/a students
180 Oraton St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Grades: PK-4
| 290 students
28 Burnet St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Grades: PK-8
| 213 students
321 Bergen St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Grades: 5-8
| 287 students
123 Cleveland Street
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
255 Chancellor Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Grades: K-2
| 141 students
36 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Grades: K-5
| 233 students
534 Clinton Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Grades: PK
| 67 students
33 Maple Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 733-6234
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
26 Speedway Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Grades: PK
| 57 students
229 18th Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Grades: PK-8
| 218 students
557 Fifteenth Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Grades: PK-8
| 224 students
279 Chancellor Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Grades: 6-12
| 116 students
72 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Grades: 5-8
| 212 students
15 Smalley Place
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
1064 Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Grades: PK
| 75 students
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Grades: K-8
| 460 students
663 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Grades: 5-8
| 552 students
211 Sherman Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
823 S 16th St
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Grades: PK-5
| 405 students
33 Maple Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Grades: K-8
| 365 students
108 South 9th St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Grades: K-8
| 375 students
236 Hoover Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Grades: 7-12
| 112 students
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Grades: 5-10
| 494 students
70 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Grades: PK-12
| 3 students
66 Muhammad Ali Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6815
Grades: PK-8
| 499 students
Show 25 more closed public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 60 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 South Mountain School, Essex Fells Elementary School and Grandview Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Essex County, NJ?
99 public preschools are located in Essex County, NJ.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County, NJ?
Essex County, NJ public preschools minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public preschools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).

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