William Carlos Williams House · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0Rutherford’s public schools outscore 78% of New Jersey districts
In Rutherford, 69% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the New Jersey average (49%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rutherford, 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 98% 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.
Rutherford’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 69% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $24,993 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Union School, then Rutherford High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary High School (private) is 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 Rutherford’s grade
A−: better than 78% of New Jersey school districts, #87 of 465 New Jersey towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Jersey average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Rutherford, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Rutherford
Lincoln School
Grades PK–3 · 500 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Rutherford
Lincoln School
Grades PK–3 · 500 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Rutherford · depends on your address
Lincoln School
Grades PK–3 · 500 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Washington School
Grades 1–3 · 349 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Rutherford · depends on your address
Lincoln School
Grades PK–3 · 500 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Washington School
Grades 1–3 · 349 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Rutherford · depends on your address
Lincoln School
Grades PK–3 · 500 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Washington School
Grades 1–3 · 349 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Rutherford
Pierrepont School
Grades 4–6 · 569 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Rutherford
Pierrepont School
Grades 4–6 · 569 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Rutherford
Pierrepont School
Grades 4–6 · 569 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Rutherford
Union School
Grades 7–8 · 399 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Rutherford
Union School
Grades 7–8 · 399 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Rutherford
Rutherford High School
Grades 9–12 · 727 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Rutherford
Rutherford High School
Grades 9–12 · 727 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Rutherford
Rutherford High School
Grades 9–12 · 727 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Rutherford
Rutherford High School
Grades 9–12 · 727 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Rutherford’s public schools are run by Rutherford Borough 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 above the state in reading
Rutherford vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Rutherford’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rutherford | A− | Rutherford Borough |
| Lyndhurst | C+ | Lyndhurst Township |
| Passaic | D | Passaic City |
| East Rutherford | C+ | East Rutherford Borough PK–8 · Carlstadt-East Rutherford 9–12 |
| Clifton | C− | Clifton City |
Every school in Rutherford
6 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 Rutherford’s schools
Are Rutherford’s schools good?
By New Jersey’s own tests, yes: the public schools Rutherford children attend outscore 78% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #87 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 82%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rutherford in?
Rutherford Borough School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,544 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do Rutherford kids go to high school?
Rutherford High School, with 727 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Rutherford’s graduation rate?
95–100% of the class of 2023 in Rutherford Borough School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Rutherford spend per student?
$24,993 in Rutherford Borough School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rutherford?
Yes: St. Mary High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 229 students).
Parents talk
What Rutherford families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rutherford → 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.