51±¬ÁÏ

Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ District

1200 Myrtle Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07063-1139
(District boundaries shown in map)
1/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ 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 2026 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 2,577 students in Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in New Jersey.
Public Middle Schools in Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ District have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the New Jersey public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 21% (versus the 48% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public middle school average of 68% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NJ)
# Schools
15 Schools
834 Schools
# Students
8,619 Students
458,046 Students
# Teachers
607 Teachers
39,885 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ 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.
This School District
State Average (NJ)
#605 out of 648 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
14%
38%
20%
49%
6%
23%
64%
85%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.31
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
9%
% Hispanic
82%
38%
% Black
16%
18%
% White
1%
32%
% 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 $26,940. 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 $25,837. The school district spending/student has declined by 27% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NJ)
Total Revenue
$247 MM
$36,642 MM
Spending
$240 MM
$35,142 MM
Revenue / Student
$28,641
$26,940
Spending / Student
$27,872
$25,837

Best Plainfield 51±¬ÁÏ District Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1700 West Front St
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4421
Gr: 7-12 | 345 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #22.
Cedarbrook Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1049 Central Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4280
Gr: K-8 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #33.
Maxson Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
920 E Seventh St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4310
Gr: 6-8 | 798 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Hubbard Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
661 W Eighth St
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4320
Gr: 6-8 | 771 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding 51±¬ÁÏ Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 15 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 8,619 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 99%
  • : 64% (Btm 50% in NJ)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 14% (Btm 50%)
  • : 20% (Btm 50%)
  • : 6% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education

Quick Links