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Central Elementary School

Q: Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks 246 th of 1331 New Jersey elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-3

246^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,331 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Better than 82% of New Jersey elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary School serves 349 students in pre-K through grade 3 in Great Meadows, part of the Great Meadows Regional School District. Its 2025–26 test results show a strong third-grade position: Central had the highest proficiency rates in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math among nearby schools with comparable results.

ELA is Central’s clearest strength. In third grade, 69% were proficient in ELA and 68% in math, compared with state rates of 48% and 49%, respectively. Central also exceeded nearby-school averages of 53% in ELA and 56% in math; its ELA result was 5 points above the next-highest score at Flocktown-Kossmann Elementary School, while its math result was 3 points above Benedict A. Cucinella School. The supplied district results match Central’s in both subjects. Attendance is a concern alongside these scores: 15% of students were chronically absent in 2024–25, above the state’s 14% and below the district’s 16%.

ELA proficiency rose steadily, from 38% in 2022–23 to 69% in 2025–26, while math moved up and down: it peaked at 76% in 2024–25 before easing to 68%. SchoolDigger ranked Central 246th of 1,331 schools, at the 82nd percentile and with four stars; its percentile was down from 86 the year before. SchoolDigger subgroup rankings also show notable gains: the Hispanic students’ percentile rose from 20 in 2020–21 to 88 in 2024–25, and the special education students’ percentile increased from 49 in 2023–24 to 80 in 2024–25, indicating improved standing in how the school serves these groups. In 2024–25, the student-teacher ratio was 12.4, higher than at most nearby schools, and 26% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible, compared with a nearby-school median of 23%.

349

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,233

Per pupil spending ?

25.5%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

281 Route 46
Great Meadows, NJ 07838

(908) 637-4041

District: Great Meadows Regional School District

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Great Meadows Regional Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

75.9%

Hispanic:

15.5%

African American:

3.4%

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Compare Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 56th percentile in 2007 → 82nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New Jersey average (68% vs 49% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of New Jersey elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2007

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg68%

New Jersey avg49%

246^th of 1,331

New Jersey public elementary schools ?

Top 18%▲ up 30 pts since 2021

From top 49% (2021) to top 18% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of New Jersey Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

178^th of 607Great Meadows Regional School District among New Jersey districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	246 of 1331	81.5%	★★★★☆
2025	85.0	195 of 1347	85.5%	★★★★☆
2024	70.6	409 of 1338	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.9	570 of 1342	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.5	455 of 1345	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.1	645 of 1317	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	69.6	461 of 1354	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	69.5	486 of 1346	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	58.0	712 of 1338	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	65.6	590 of 1329	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	70.4	455 of 1314	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	71.2	434 of 1303	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2004	82.4	129 of 1298	90.1%	★★★★★
2003	58.1	622 of 1204	48.3%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2026	82.6	224 of 1311	82.9%	★★★★☆
2025	88.6	130 of 1326	90.2%	★★★★★
2024	62.5	496 of 1317	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.3	444 of 1318	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.1	459 of 1326	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.3	668 of 1290	48.2%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	83.5	129 of 1032	87.5%	★★★★☆
2023	71.2	227 of 982	76.9%	★★★★☆
2021	26.4	721 of 896	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2026	79.9	116 of 1002	88.4%	★★★★☆
2025	90.2	56 of 1023	94.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2026	78.6	278 of 1306	78.7%	★★★★☆
2025	77.5	295 of 1318	77.6%	★★★★☆
2024	75.1	329 of 1313	74.9%	★★★★☆
2023	49.5	652 of 1315	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	67.9	418 of 1324	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.3	586 of 1297	54.8%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	73.6	208 of 1023	79.7%	★★★★☆
2024	41.2	501 of 989	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	58.6	318 of 949	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	70.2	173 of 868	80.1%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2026	70.9	257 of 951	73.0%	★★★★☆
2025	78.8	171 of 970	82.4%	★★★★☆
2024	58.2	400 of 963	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	37.7	629 of 975	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.7	531 of 976	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.8	552 of 964	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)88th percentile+7 vs school

Hispanic (2025)88th percentile~ school

Female (2026)83rd percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)80th percentile-6 vs school

Male (2026)79th percentile-3 vs school

White (2026)73rd percentile-9 vs school

By subject vs New Jersey (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts68%+20 vs state

Mathematics68%+19 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				NJSLA-S Science (2026)		NJSLA English Language Arts (2026)						NJSLA Mathematics (2026)						NJSLA Algebra I (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NJSLA-S Science 5th Grade	NJSLA-S Science 8th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 4th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 5th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 6th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 7th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 8th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 3rd Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 4th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 5th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 6th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 7th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 8th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I 8th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	281 Route 46	Great Meadows	07838	Warren County	Great Meadows Regional School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 637-4041	349	28	12.4	25.5%	265 (75.9%)	12 (3.4%)	54 (15.5%)	7 (2.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.6%)	81.9	246^th of 1331 public elementary schools	81.5%		85	195^th of 1347 public elementary schools	85.5%	51			68.5						68.4								$16,233		$16,233
Hatchery Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	398 5th Avenue	Hackettstown	07840	Warren County	Hackettstown Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 852-8550	283	33	8.7	42.0%	114 (40.3%)	10 (3.5%)	140 (49.5%)	10 (3.5%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	7 (2.5%)								(n/a)																	$22,272	$429	$21,843
Hope Township School	Public	PK, KG-5	320 Johnsonburg Road	Hope	07844	Warren County	Hope Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 459-4242	124	15	8.1	9.7%	103 (83.1%)	5 (4.0%)	14 (11.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	1 (0.8%)	58.1	579^th of 1331 public elementary schools	56.5%		37.3	851^st of 1347 public elementary schools	36.8%	272			63.7	55.6					45.5	44.5							$21,710	$1,062	$20,648
Willow Grove Elementary School	Public	2-4	601 Willow Grove Street	Hackettstown	07840	Warren County	Hackettstown Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 852-2805	320	36	8.8	45.0%	133 (41.6%)	7 (2.2%)	158 (49.4%)	12 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.1%)	50.7	664^th of 1331 public elementary schools	50.1%		57.5	577^th of 1347 public elementary schools	57.2%	87			41.9	56.2					46.9	47.6							$20,788	$429	$20,359
Mountain Villa School	Public	PK, KG-2	1686 County Rt 517	Allamuchy	07820	Warren County	Allamuchy Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 852-1894	173	9	18.7	6.4%	124 (71.7%)	8 (4.6%)	24 (13.9%)	11 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.5%)								(n/a)																	$12,763	$453	$12,310
Flocktown-Kossmann Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	90 Flocktown Road	Long Valley	07853	Morris County	Washington Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 850-1010	513	41	12.4	6.4%	401 (78.2%)	7 (1.4%)	57 (11.1%)	19 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.7%)	78.4	303^rd of 1331 public elementary schools	77.2%		78.8	305^th of 1347 public elementary schools	77.4%	2	30.6		64.0	73.1	72.0				64.0	68.3	65.4						$13,342	$377	$12,965
Sandshore Rd. Elementary School	Public	K-5	498 Sandshore Road	Budd Lake	07828	Morris County	Mount Olive Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(973) 691-4003	409	41	9.9	10.5%	231 (56.5%)	19 (4.6%)	72 (17.6%)	67 (16.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	18 (4.4%)	77.8	312^th of 1331 public elementary schools	76.6%		75.5	349^th of 1347 public elementary schools	74.1%	37	43.8		63.5	60.8	72.5				58.7	59.4	68.4						$25,794	$543	$25,251
Mansfield Township Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	50 Port Murray Road	Port Murray	07865	Warren County	Mansfield Township Elementary School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 689-3212	570	54	10.5	46.0%	302 (53.0%)	30 (5.3%)	206 (36.1%)	12 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.3%)	51	659^th of 1331 public elementary schools	50.5%		44.5	746^th of 1347 public elementary schools	44.6%	87	24.6		40.2	39.2	55.1	64.4			41.7	52.7	46.4	40.7					$17,287	$642	$16,645
Oxford Central School	Public	PK, KG-8	17 Kent Street	Oxford	07863	Warren County	Oxford Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 453-4101	262	27	9.8	29.8%	205 (78.2%)	14 (5.3%)	32 (12.2%)	3 (1.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.7%)	51.3	656^th of 1331 public elementary schools	50.7%		52.5	644^th of 1347 public elementary schools	52.2%	12	30.4	16.7	35.7	38.1	52.1	65.6	61.6	56.6	64.3	52.4	43.5	25.1	61.6	7.1	88.3	88.3	$18,132	$410	$17,722
Benedict A. Cucinella School	Public	PK, KG-5	470 Naughright Road	Long Valley	07853	Morris County	Washington Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 850-3161	529	53	9.9	8.9%	392 (74.1%)	17 (3.2%)	61 (11.5%)	36 (6.8%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	19 (3.6%)	75.8	344^th of 1331 public elementary schools	74.2%		77.7	323^rd of 1347 public elementary schools	76.0%	21	35.4		58.5	60.8	74.4				65.0	60.9	65.8						$13,777	$520	$13,257

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