Schools in Zip Code 06374

Zip code 06374 is served by three public schools in the Plainfield School District, forming a complete PK–8 pathway that includes Shepard Hill Elementary School (PK–3), Plainfield Memorial School (4–5), and Plainfield Central School (6–8). Total enrollment is 1,105 students, with about 683 in the two elementary schools and 422 in the middle school. There is no high school in this zip code, so students must leave 06374 for grades 9–12. The district serves a largely economically disadvantaged population, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from about 56% to 62% across the three schools.

Plainfield Memorial School is the clear bright spot in the area. Its chronic absenteeism rate is just 9.7%, dramatically lower than the district's 19.4% and well below the state's 16.4%. In 2024–2025, its 5th graders exceeded state proficiency in ELA, math, and science. However, its state rank slipped to the 38th percentile, showing that rankings and grade-level results don't always align. At the other end, Shepard Hill Elementary School shows serious cause for concern: 3rd grade ELA proficiency fell to 15.7% and math to 25.3%, both far below state averages and representing sharp year-over-year declines. Plainfield Central School, the only middle school, shows a troubling pattern in math—6th graders start near the state average, but by 8th grade only about 20% are proficient.

Across the zip code, chronic absenteeism averages about 15.3% and per-student spending ranges from $13,587 to $15,330, with student-teacher ratios between 10.0 and 13.0. Despite similar poverty levels, outcomes vary widely, suggesting school-level factors like attendance and early intervention matter. The most pressing systemic issue is the decline in math proficiency through middle school, which leaves many students unprepared for high school. Meanwhile, the early elementary struggles at Shepard Hill could put pressure on later grades. For parents, this data highlights a district with one strong elementary school, one early-elementary school needing support, and a middle school that may need stronger math intervention. The absence of a local high school is also an important consideration for families planning ahead.