Plainfield Public School District

The Plainfield Public School District in New Jersey consists of 14 schools, including 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools, serving a diverse student population. While the district faces significant challenges, with many schools struggling to achieve academic proficiency, a few standout schools demonstrate the potential for success.

Among the standout schools is Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies, a high school that ranks 140th out of 422 New Jersey high schools and earns 3 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. This school boasts an impressive 98.7% four-year graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, setting it apart from the district's other high schools. At the elementary level, Frederic W. Cook Elementary School and Cedarbrook Elementary School stand out, ranking 889th and 1,140th out of 1,342 New Jersey elementary schools, respectively, and earning 2 and 1 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger.

However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, with many schools struggling to achieve proficiency rates above 20% in English Language Arts and Mathematics. The high rates of chronic absenteeism, particularly at the high school level, and the high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage, are also areas of concern. Despite these challenges, the success of the standout schools suggests that with the right strategies and resources, the Plainfield Public School District can improve the educational outcomes for its students.