For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 3,767 students in South Plainfield, NJ (there are 4 private schools, serving 319 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in South Plainfield, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in South Plainfield, NJ are Roosevelt Elementary School, John F Kennedy Elementary School and South Plainfield Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Plainfield, NJ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 53% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in South Plainfield have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in South Plainfield, NJ (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Roosevelt Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
135 Jackson Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: K-4 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #22.
John F Kennedy Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2900 Norwood Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: K-4 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #33.
South Plainfield Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2201 Plainfield Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: 7-8 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #44.
South Plainfield High School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Lake Street
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: 9-12 | 1,044 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #55.
John E. Riley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
100 Morris Ave
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: K-4 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #66.
Grant Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
305 Cromwell Place
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: 5-6 | 568 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
Franklin Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Franklin Ave
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: K-4 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: n/an/a
125 Jackson Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: PK | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
South Plainfield, New Jersey Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
125 Jackson Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
(908) 754-4620
Gr: PK | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in South Plainfield, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in South Plainfield, NJ include Roosevelt Elementary School, John F Kennedy Elementary School and South Plainfield Middle School.
How many public schools are located in South Plainfield?
9 public schools are located in South Plainfield.
What percentage of students in South Plainfield go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in South Plainfield are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Plainfield?
South Plainfield public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in South Plainfield are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in South Plainfield include: John E. Riley Elementary School vs. John F Kennedy Elementary School, Grant Elementary School vs. South Plainfield Middle School, Franklin Elementary School vs. John E. Riley Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.