For the 2026 school year, there are 27 public schools serving 15,789 students in Plainfield, NJ (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,324 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Plainfield, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in Plainfield, NJ are Warren Middle School, Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies and Frederic W. Cook Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Plainfield, NJ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 28% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Plainfield have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Plainfield, NJ (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Warren Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Old Stirling Road
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 753-5300
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 753-5300
Gr: 6-8 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1700 West Front St
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4421
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4421
Gr: 7-12 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #33.
Frederic W. Cook Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
739 Leland Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4215
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4215
Gr: K-5 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #44.
The Queen City Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
815 West Seventh Street
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 753-4700
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 753-4700
Gr: K-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #55.
The Barack Obama Green Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
35 Watchung Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(877) 643-4064
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(877) 643-4064
Gr: 6-12 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #66.
College Achieve Central Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
365 Emerson Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 625-1879
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 625-1879
Gr: K-12 | 1,572 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #77.
East End School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
170 Oneida Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6070
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6070
Gr: PK-4 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #88.
Charles And Anna Booker Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
730 Central Street
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4290
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4290
Gr: PK-5 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Cedarbrook Elementary School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1049 Central Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4280
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4280
Gr: K-8 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1010.
Emerson Community School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
305 Emerson Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4205
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4205
Gr: K-5 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
Cresthaven Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
530 West 7th Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 756-1234
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 756-1234
Gr: K-8 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Union County Teams Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
515 517 West Fourth Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 754-9043
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 754-9043
Gr: K-12 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1
Rank: #1313.
North Plainfield Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
34 Wilson Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6040
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6040
Gr: 7-8 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1414.
West End School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
447 Greenbrook Road
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6083
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6083
Gr: PK-4 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1515.
North Plainfield High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
34 Wilson Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6000
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,141 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1616.
Somerset School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
303 Somerset Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6080
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6080
Gr: 5-6 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1717.
Evergreen Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1033 Evergreen Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4260
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4260
Gr: K-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
E Front St & Farragut Rd
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4300
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4300
Gr: K-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Stony Brook School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
269 Grove Street
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6063
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 769-6063
Gr: PK-4 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2020.
Washington Community School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
427 Darrow Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4230
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4230
Gr: PK-5 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Pinnacle Academy High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
209 Berckman St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4270
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4270
Gr: 9-12 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #2222.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
West 4th St And Clinton Ave
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4220
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4220
Gr: PK-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #2323.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1700 W. Front St
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4250
Plainfield, NJ 07063
(908) 731-4250
Gr: PK-5 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 W Fourth St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4240
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4240
Gr: K-5 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #2525.
Maxson Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
920 E Seventh St
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4310
Plainfield, NJ 07062
(908) 731-4310
Gr: 6-8 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Hubbard Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
661 W Eighth St
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4320
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4320
Gr: 6-8 | 737 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #2727.
Plainfield High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
950 Park Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4390
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 731-4390
Gr: 9-12 | 2,077 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Plainfield, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in Plainfield, NJ include Warren Middle School, Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies and Frederic W. Cook Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Plainfield?
27 public schools are located in Plainfield.
What percentage of students in Plainfield go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Plainfield are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in Plainfield?
Plainfield public schools minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Plainfield are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Plainfield include: Cresthaven Academy Charter School vs. College Achieve Central Charter School, Union County Teams Charter School vs. The Queen City Academy Charter School, The Queen City Academy Charter School vs. Union County Teams Charter School
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