A mix of public, charter and specialty schools landed on U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking of the top 50 elementary school list for 2026.
U.S. News analyzed 103,391 Pre-K, elementary and middle schools in New Jersey, using the same methodology for all grade levels. The study looks at how many students were proficient or above in their math and reading/language arts state test scores, both in terms of the numerical score, and the socioeconomic demographics of the school. Data came from the U.S. Department of Education.
There is no cumulative national ranking.
Public School 28 in Paterson ranked No. 1 on this for the second year in a row. Also known as Paterson Academy of the Gifted & Talented (PAGT), the Pre-K to Grade 8 school also excels with its special needs program and the variety of clubs in addition to high academics.
Grades: Pre-K to 8
Population: 469 (44% female, 56% male)
Math Proficiency: 98
Reading Proficiency: 100%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 – 38 full-time teachers, 1 full-time counselor
Economically Disadvantaged Students: 75%
Rankings:
No. 1 in New Jersey Elementary Schools
No. 2 in New Jersey Middle Schools
No. 1 in Paterson Public School District Elementary Schools
No. 1 in Paterson Public School District Middle Schools
No. 2, Cornelia F. Bradford School, in Jersey City, is also New Jersey’s top middle school according to Infinity Institute.
Grades: Pre-K to 5
Population: 1,083 (47% female, 53% male)
Math Proficiency: 93%
Reading Proficiency: 91%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 27:1 – 40 full-time teachers
Economically Disadvantaged Students: 8%
Rankings:
No. 2 in New Jersey Elementary Schools
No. 1 in Jersey City Public Schools Elementary Schools
No. 3, Princeton Charter School, located in Princeton, has separate classroom buildings, one for grades K-3, one for grades 6-8, and recently opened 4th and 5th grade classrooms. The Campus Center is used by all grade levels and includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, “black-box” theater and classrooms for art and music.
Grades: K-8
Population: 424 (51% female, 49% male)
Math Proficiency: 90%
Reading Proficiency: 92%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 – 38 full-time teachers and 1 full-time school counselor
Economically Disadvantaged Students: 4%
Rankings:
No. 3 in New Jersey Elementary Schools
No. 4 in New Jersey Middle Schools
No. 4, Washington Elementary School in Westfield is also the No. 4 best public elementary school in Union County, according to Niche.
Grades: 1-5
Population: 289 (53% female, 47% male)
Math Proficiency: 87%
Reading Proficiency: 92%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 – 22 full-time teachers
Rankings:
No. 4 in New Jersey Elementary Schools
No. 1 in Westfield Public School district Elementary Schools
No. 5, Forrestdale School in Rumson, was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, in addition to a top-rated school in Monmouth County.
Grades: 4-8
Population: 525 (46% female, 54% male)
Math Proficiency: 85%
Reading Proficiency: 90%
Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 – 58 full-time teachers and 1 full-time school counselor
Economically Disadvantaged Students: 1%
Rankings:
No. 5 in New Jersey Elementary Schools
No. 10 in New Jersey Middle Schools
The 50 Best Public Elementary Schools in New Jersey for 2026, according to U.S. News & World Report:
- Public School 28 / Paterson Academy of the Gifted & Talented in Paterson
- Cornelia F. Bradford School in Jersey City
- Princeton Charter School in Princeton
- Washington Elementary School in Westfield
- Forrestdale School in Rumson
- Wyoming School in Millburn
- Deerfield School in Millburn
- Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Glen Rock
- Sara M. Gilmore Academy in Union City
- Wildwood Elementary School in Mountain Lakes
- Central Elementary School in Haddonfield
- Hatikvah International Academy Charter School in East Brunswick
- Navesink Elementary School in Middletown
- Hilldale School in Montville
- Lincoln-Hubbard School in Summit
- Essex Fells School in Essex Fells
- Torey J. Sabatini School in Madison
- Harrison Elementary School in Livingston
- South Valley Elementary School in Moorestown
- Orchard Elementary School in Ridgewood
- Joseph D. Sharp Elementary School in Cherry Hill
- Deane-Porter Elementary School in Rumson
- Point Road School in Little Silver
- Brookside School in Allendale
- Glenwood Elementary School in Short Hills
- Northvail Elementary School in Parsippany
- Hillside School in Allendale
- Thomas Edison Energysmart Charter School in Somerset
- Milton Avenue School in Chatham
- Willard Elementary School in Ridgewood
- Upper School in Englewood Cliffs
- Somerville Elementary School in Ridgewood
- Cherry Hill School in River Edge
- South Mountain Elementary in Millburn
- Washington Elementary School in Summit
- Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven
- Water Stillman Elementary School in Tenafly
- Franklin School in Summit
- Monmouth Junction Elementary School in Monmouth Junction
- Hartshorn Elementary School in Short Hills
- Betsy Ross Elementary School in Mahwah
- Richard E. Byrd School in Glen Rock
- Harding Twp. School in New Vernon
- Ralph S. Maugham Elementary School in Tenafly
- Mount Prospect Elementary School in Basking Ridge
- Salt Brook School in New Providence
- Allen W. Roberts Elementary School in New Providence
- Elysian Charter School of Hoboken in Hoboken
- Haworth Public School in Haworth
- Hoboken Dual Language Charter School in Hoboken
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