Top Rankings
Plainfield Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 8,619 students in Plainfield Public School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey.
Public Schools in Plainfield Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 14% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 20% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public school average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NJ)
# Schools
15 Schools
2,573 Schools
# Students
8,619 Students
1,360,617 Students
# Teachers
607 Teachers
116,573 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Plainfield Public School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 645 school districts in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 64% has decreased from 76% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#605 out of 648 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
6%
23%
Graduation Rate
64%
85%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.31
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
10%
% Hispanic
82%
34%
% Black
16%
15%
% White
1%
38%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $28,641 is higher than the state median of $26,931. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $27,872 is higher than the state median of $25,828. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$247 MM
$36,642 MM
Spending
$240 MM
$35,142 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,641
$26,931
Spending / Student
$27,872
$25,828
Best Plainfield Public School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1700 West Front St
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4421
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4421
Gr: 7-12 | 345 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #22.
Frederic W. Cook Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
739 Leland Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4215
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4215
Gr: K-5 | 144 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #33.
Charles And Anna Booker Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
730 Central Street
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4290
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4290
Gr: PK-5 | 761 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 190:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Cedarbrook Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1049 Central Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4280
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4280
Gr: K-8 | 663 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Rank: #55.
Emerson Community School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
305 Emerson Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4205
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4205
Gr: K-5 | 424 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1033 Evergreen Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4260
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4260
Gr: K-5 | 423 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
E Front St & Farragut Rd
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4300
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4300
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #88.
Washington Community School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
427 Darrow Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4230
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4230
Gr: PK-5 | 540 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Pinnacle Academy High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
209 Berckman St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4270
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4270
Gr: 9-12 | 70 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Rank: #1010.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
West 4th St And Clinton Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4220
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4220
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1700 W. Front St
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4250
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4250
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 W Fourth St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4240
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4240
Gr: K-5 | 331 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Maxson Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
920 E Seventh St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4310
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4310
Gr: 6-8 | 798 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Hubbard Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
661 W Eighth St
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4320
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4320
Gr: 6-8 | 771 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Rank: #1515.
Plainfield High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
950 Park Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4390
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,145 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Plainfield Public School District?
Plainfield Public School District manages 15 public schools serving 8,619 students.
What is the rank of Plainfield Public School District?
Plainfield Public School District is ranked #606 out of 645 school districts in New Jersey (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of New Jersey school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Plainfield Public School District?
82% of Plainfield Public School District students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Black, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Plainfield Public School District?
Plainfield Public School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 12:1.
What is Plainfield Public School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $27,872 is higher than the state median of $25,828. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.