Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0Princeton’s public schools outscore 59% of New Jersey districts
Math proficiency in Princeton’s districts is 58%, above the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Princeton, 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 96% 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.
Princeton’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 203 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Princeton’s, its schools beat 16%, lower than their 59% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 58% in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $30,489 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Princeton Middle School, then Princeton High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Princeton Charter School, Princeton Day School (private), Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (private), St. Paul School of Princeton (private), Princeton International SCHL of Math and Science (private) and Princeton Friends School (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 Princeton’s grade
B: better than 59% of New Jersey school districts, #199 of 465 New Jersey towns. Test scores are above the New Jersey average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Princeton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 794 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 794 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 794 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Princeton
Princeton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,518 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Princeton
Princeton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,518 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Princeton
Princeton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,518 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Princeton
Princeton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,518 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Princeton’s public schools are run by Princeton Public Schools. 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 above the state in reading
Princeton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Princeton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton | B | Princeton |
| Montgomery | A | Montgomery Township |
| West Windsor | A | West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional |
| Franklin | C | Franklin Township |
| Lawrence | B− | Lawrence Township |
| Plainsboro | A | West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional |
| South Brunswick | A− | South Brunswick Township |
| Hopewell | A− | Hopewell Valley Regional |
Every school in Princeton
12 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 Princeton’s schools
Are Princeton’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of New Jersey: the public schools Princeton children attend outscore 59% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #199 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 16%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Princeton in?
Princeton Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,668 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Princeton kids go to high school?
Princeton High School, with 1,518 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Princeton’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Princeton Public Schools graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Princeton spend per student?
$30,489 in Princeton Public Schools (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Princeton?
Yes: Princeton Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 972 students), Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (catholic · all-girls, grades PK–12, 293 students), St. Paul School of Princeton (Catholic, grades PK–8, 284 students), Princeton International SCHL of Math and Science (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 120 students) and Princeton Friends School (religious, grades PK–8, 85 students). Princeton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Princeton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Princeton → 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.