Grace Episcopal Church · Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0Plainfield’s public schools score below 99% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Plainfield’s districts is 12%, below the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Plainfield, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Jersey, not nationally.
From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 92% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Plainfield’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 20% of tested students were proficient in reading and 12% in math, against 49% and 36% statewide; 92% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
67% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,099 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Queen City Academy Charter School, Union County TEAMS Charter School, The Barack Obama Green Charter School, College Achieve Central Charter School, Cresthaven Academy Charter School, First Children School (private) and Salahuddin Future Academy, Plainfield Branch (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Plainfield’s grade
D−: better than 1% of New Jersey school districts, #462 of 465 New Jersey towns. Both inputs trail the New Jersey average; among the 337 New Jersey towns with similar household incomes, Plainfield’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Plainfield, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Plainfield · depends on your address
Hubbard Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 737 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Maxson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 721 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Cedarbrook Elementary School
Grades K–8 · 671 students · 11:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Plainfield · depends on your address
Plainfield High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
Grades 7–12 · 357 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Pinnacle Academy High School
Grades 9–12 · 67 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Plainfield · depends on your address
Plainfield High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
Grades 7–12 · 357 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Pinnacle Academy High School
Grades 9–12 · 67 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Plainfield · depends on your address
Plainfield High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
Grades 7–12 · 357 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Pinnacle Academy High School
Grades 9–12 · 67 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Plainfield · depends on your address
Plainfield High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,077 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
Grades 7–12 · 357 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Pinnacle Academy High School
Grades 9–12 · 67 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Plainfield’s public schools are run by Plainfield City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Plainfield vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Plainfield’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Plainfield | D− | Plainfield City |
| North Plainfield | C− | North Plainfield Borough |
| Watchung | A− | Watchung Borough PK–8 · Watchung Hills Regional 9–12 |
| Green Brook | B+ | Green Brook Township |
| Scotch Plains | A− | Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional |
| Dunellen | C+ | Dunellen Borough |
Every school in Plainfield
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Jersey’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Plainfield’s schools
Are Plainfield’s schools good?
On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Plainfield children attend score below 99% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #462 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Plainfield in?
Plainfield City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,522 students in 15 schools (2024–25).
Where do Plainfield kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Plainfield High School, Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies and Pinnacle Academy High School.
What is Plainfield’s graduation rate?
67% of the class of 2023 in Plainfield City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Plainfield spend per student?
$24,099 in Plainfield City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Plainfield?
Yes: First Children School (special education, grades PK–12, 88 students) and Salahuddin Future Academy, Plainfield Branch (religious, grades PK–12, 75 students). Plainfield also has 5 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Plainfield families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Plainfield → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Jersey. Stars are from neighbors.