For the 2025 school year, there are 248 public schools serving 145,774 students in Essex County, NJ (there are 97 private schools, serving 16,285 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 Essex Fells Elementary School, Wyoming School and Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges. 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 30% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 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 62% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Essex County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
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
Grades: PK-6
| 247 students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Wyoming School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
55 Myrtle Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 761-1619
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 761-1619
Grades: K-4
| 334 students
Rank: #33.
Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
445 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
Grades: 9-12
| 168 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Deerfield School
(Math: 85-89% | 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
Grades: K-4
| 376 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
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
Grades: K-4
| 349 students
Rank: #4 - 64. - 6.
Hartshorn School
(Math: 85-89% | 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
Grades: K-4
| 428 students
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Harrison Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
148 North Livingston Ave
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: K-5
| 514 students
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
Grades: PK-4
| 285 students
Rank: #99.
Millburn High School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
462 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Grades: 9-12
| 1,393 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Burnet Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Byron Place
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: PK-5
| 467 students
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Millburn Middle School
(Math: 77% | 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
Grades: 6-8
| 1,119 students
Rank: #1212.
Grandview Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
35 Hamilton Dr East
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Grades: PK-3
| 395 students
Rank: #1313.
Washington School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
71 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 218-7500
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 218-7500
Grades: 5
| 411 students
Rank: #1414.
Hillside Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
98 Belmont Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: K-5
| 487 students
Rank: #1515.
Mount Pleasant Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: K-5
| 435 students
Rank: #1616.
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
Grades: K-5
| 471 students
Rank: #1717.
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
Grades: 7-8
| 1,004 students
Rank: #1818.
Ridgewood Avenue School
(Math: 76% | 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
Grades: 3-6
| 539 students
Rank: #1919.
Gould/mountain Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
132 Gould Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 712-4400
Grades: 4-6
| 283 students
Rank: #2020.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Grades: K-8
| 339 students
Rank: #2121.
Mount Pleasant Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
11 Broadlawn Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: 6
| 487 students
Rank: #2222.
Technology High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
223 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Grades: 9-12
| 654 students
Rank: #2323.
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
Grades: K-5
| 487 students
Rank: #2424.
Science Park High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
260 Norfolk Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Grades: 7-12
| 970 students
Rank: #2525.
Lester C Noecker
(Math: 70% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Passaic Ave
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Roseland, NJ 07068
(973) 226-7644
Grades: PK-6
| 441 students
Rank: #2626.
Oak View Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
150 Garrabrant Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8590
Grades: K-6
| 375 students
Rank: #2727.
North End Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
122 Stevens Avenue
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 256-1454
Grades: PK-4
| 307 students
Rank: #2828.
Glen Ridge High School
(Math: 63% | 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
Grades: 7-12
| 811 students
Rank: #2929.
Livingston High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Robert Harp Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Grades: 9-12
| 2,081 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Lincoln Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18 Crane St
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-3987
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-3987
Grades: K-5
| 265 students
Rank: #30 - 3130. - 31.
Wilson Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
71 Orton Rd
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-7173
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-7173
Grades: K-5
| 226 students
Rank: #3232.
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
Grades: 3-5
| 581 students
Rank: #3333.
Tuscan Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
25 Harvard Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-5221
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-5221
Grades: K-5
| 547 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Edgemont Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
20 Edgemont Rd
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4162
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4162
Grades: K-5
| 255 students
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Watchung Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
14 Garden St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4259
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4259
Grades: K-5
| 385 students
Show 100 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 248 total schools)
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Essex County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
100 Legacy Academy Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
75 Morton St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Grades: 6-8
| 255 students
74 Montgomery St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6911
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6911
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Achieve Community Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
534 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Grades: K-8
| 450 students
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
15 James St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Grades: K-8
| 331 students
43 Alexander St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Grades: 1-8
| 385 students
100 Linden Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Grades: K-5
| 310 students
90 Parker Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Grades: 9-12
| 1,263 students
Bloomfield Technical Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
209 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Grades: 9-12
| 509 students
15 Boylan St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Grades: PK-K
| 57 students
103 Bragaw Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Grades: K-8
| 250 students
228 Ridge St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5220
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5220
Grades: PK-4
| n/a students
180 Oraton St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Grades: PK-4
| 290 students
28 Burnet St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Grades: PK-8
| 213 students
321 Bergen St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Grades: 5-8
| 287 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
255 Chancellor Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Grades: K-2
| 141 students
36 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Grades: K-5
| 233 students
534 Clinton Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Grades: PK
| 67 students
33 Maple Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 733-6234
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 733-6234
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
26 Speedway Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Grades: PK
| 57 students
229 18th Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Grades: PK-8
| 218 students
557 Fifteenth Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Grades: PK-8
| 224 students
279 Chancellor Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Grades: 6-12
| 116 students
Greater Newark Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
72 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Grades: 5-8
| 212 students
Independence High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
15 Smalley Place
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
1064 Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Grades: PK
| 75 students
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Grades: K-8
| 460 students
663 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Grades: 5-8
| 552 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
823 S 16th St
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Grades: PK-5
| 405 students
33 Maple Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Grades: K-8
| 365 students
108 South 9th St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Grades: K-8
| 375 students
Memorial Hall High School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
236 Hoover Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Grades: 7-12
| 112 students
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
Grades: 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
Grades: 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 schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top ranked public schools in Essex County, NJ include Essex Fells Elementary School, Wyoming School and Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges.
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 62% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Essex County include: Roosevelt Middle School vs. Liberty Middle School, Kipp Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Linden Avenue School vs. Forest Avenue School
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