Union County Schools & Education
Union County, New Jersey
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
69/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,330
National avg $13,239
State avg $13,088
School Score
69/100
Higher = better
State avg 80/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#15
of 21 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Union County
School Verdict
Union County performs at an average level with a school score of 69/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.6%.
Funding Context
With $12,330 per pupil, Union County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Union County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 14% below the New Jersey average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Union County, New Jersey
Massive Scale in Union's Education System
Union County manages a vast network of 178 public schools serving nearly 100,000 students. The infrastructure is geared toward primary education with 103 elementary schools, supported by 39 high schools and 26 middle schools. The system is diverse, including 5 charter schools, 5 alternative schools, and 6 special education centers.
Meeting Benchmarks in an Active County
Union County's graduation rate of 88.6% exceeds the national average of 87.0%, though it trails the New Jersey average of 91.4%. The county spends $12,330 per pupil, maintaining a competitive level of funding compared to the $13,000 national average. A composite school score of 64.3 reflects the diverse challenges and successes of this large-scale urban and suburban system.
The Powerhouse Elizabeth Public Schools
Elizabeth Public Schools is the dominant district, overseeing 37 schools and 27,378 students. Plainfield and Linden also run significant operations, serving 8,331 and 6,032 students respectively. Charter schools play a visible role here, making up 2.8% of the total school landscape and providing various educational alternatives.
Universal Suburban Schooling
Every single school in Union County is classified as suburban, reflecting the county's densely populated, interconnected communities. The average school size is 550 students, but high schools can be much larger. Union High School leads the county with 2,308 students, followed by Plainfield High with 1,925.
Find Your Community in Union County
Union County offers an array of suburban neighborhoods tied to large, well-resourced school districts. From the high-capacity campuses in Elizabeth to the established reputation of Westfield Public Schools, families have diverse choices for their children's education. Search for a home here to benefit from a school system that reflects New Jersey's dynamic suburban character.
School Overview
Total Schools
178
in Union County
Total Enrollment
97,270
students
School Districts
27
districts
Charter Schools
5
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
27 School Districts in Union County
Elizabeth Public Schools
Plainfield Public School District
Township of Union School District
Linden Public School District
Westfield Public School District
Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District
Rahway Public School District
Summit Public School District
Cranford Public School District
Hillside Public School District
178 Public Schools in Union County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union High School | Township of Union School District | 9–12 | High | 2,308 |
| Plainfield High School | Plainfield Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,925 |
| Westfield Senior High School | Westfield Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,818 |
| Linden High School | Linden Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,801 |
| Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School | Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District | 9–12 | High | 1,510 |
| John E. Dwyer Technology Academy | Elizabeth Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,443 |
| College Achieve Central Charter School | College Achieve Central Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 1,403 |
| Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy | Elizabeth Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,299 |
| Elizabeth High School - Frank J Cicarell Academy | Elizabeth Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,281 |
| Rahway High School | Rahway Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,204 |
| Summit High School | Summit Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,161 |
| Terence C. Reilly School No 7 | Elizabeth Public Schools | 2–8 | Middle | 1,126 |
| Cranford High School | Cranford Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,095 |
| William F. Halloran School No.22 | Elizabeth Public Schools | 2–8 | Middle | 1,089 |
| Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy | Elizabeth Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,070 |
| Toussaint Louverture-Marquis de Lafayette School No. 6 | Elizabeth Public Schools | PK–8 | Primary | 1,042 |
| Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy | Elizabeth Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 996 |
| Burnet Middle School | Township of Union School District | 5–8 | Middle | 981 |
| Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School | Summit Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 942 |
| Governor Livingston High School | Berkeley Heights School District | 9–12 | High | 936 |
College Achieve Central Charter School
Elizabeth Public Schools
Elizabeth Public Schools
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$12,330
State avg $13,088
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Union County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Union County?
How much does Union County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Union County, New Jersey — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Union County, New Jersey?
Union County manages a vast network of 178 public schools serving nearly 100,000 students. The infrastructure is geared toward primary education with 103 elementary schools, supported by 39 high schools and 26 middle schools. The system is diverse, including 5 charter schools, 5 alternative schools, and 6 special education centers.
How do schools in Union County perform academically?
Union County's graduation rate of 88.6% exceeds the national average of 87.0%, though it trails the New Jersey average of 91.4%. The county spends $12,330 per pupil, maintaining a competitive level of funding compared to the $13,000 national average. A composite school score of 64.3 reflects the diverse challenges and successes of this large-scale urban and suburban system.
What are the major school districts in Union County, New Jersey?
Elizabeth Public Schools is the dominant district, overseeing 37 schools and 27,378 students. Plainfield and Linden also run significant operations, serving 8,331 and 6,032 students respectively. Charter schools play a visible role here, making up 2.8% of the total school landscape and providing various educational alternatives.
What is the school experience like in Union County?
Every single school in Union County is classified as suburban, reflecting the county's densely populated, interconnected communities. The average school size is 550 students, but high schools can be much larger. Union High School leads the county with 2,308 students, followed by Plainfield High with 1,925.
How can I find homes near good schools in Union County, New Jersey?
Union County offers an array of suburban neighborhoods tied to large, well-resourced school districts. From the high-capacity campuses in Elizabeth to the established reputation of Westfield Public Schools, families have diverse choices for their children's education. Search for a home here to benefit from a school system that reflects New Jersey's dynamic suburban character.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.