South Mountain Elementary School

Public PK, KG-5

 444 West South Orange Ave
       South Orange, NJ  07079-1234


(973) 378-5216

District: South Orange-Maplewood School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
295th of 1,342 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $5,242 Help


Students who attend South Mountain Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    South Orange Middle School
High:    Columbia High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.5 Help
Number of students:  618

Racial breakdown:

White:
62.0%
Two or more races:
12.3%
African American:
11.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  2.6% Help


 See top rated New Jersey elementary schools

 Compare South Mountain Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Mountain Elementary School ranks better than 78% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks 3rd among 5 ranked elementary schools in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 78.41. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details South Mountain Elementary School has the largest elementary school student body size in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. Racial makeup is: White (62%), two or more races (12.3%), African American (11.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 2.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary School is 12.5. 5 elementary schools in the South Orange-Maplewood School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare South Mountain Elementary School employs 49.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Mountain Elementary School is $5,242. 4 elementary schools in the South Orange-Maplewood School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

South Mountain Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Mountain Elementary School 295th of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See South Mountain Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


South Orange-Maplewood School District:

SchoolDigger ranks South Orange-Maplewood School District 199th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for South Mountain Elementary School?

Rank History for South Mountain Elementary School

Help
Compare

Rank History for all students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 70.07 444th 1204 63.1%
2004 70.30 443rd 1298 65.9%
2005 79.69 190th 1303 85.4%
2006 77.30 264th 1314 79.9%
2007 68.98 494th 1329 62.8%
2008 80.64 144th 1338 89.2%
2009 77.57 271st 1346 79.9%
2010 80.43 194th 1354 85.7%
2011 80.50 197th 1360 85.5%
2012 81.34 182nd 1363 86.6%
2013 78.76 268th 1367 80.4%
2014 80.30 241st 1363 82.3%
2015 86.61 166th 1357 87.8%
2016 85.52 176th 1346 86.9%
2017 79.70 286th 1352 78.8%
2018 76.04 341st 1353 74.8%
2019 70.83 436th 1360 67.9%
2021 83.14 190th 1317 85.6%
2022 83.04 242nd 1345 82.0%
2023 78.41 295th 1342 78.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.11 451st 1001 54.9%
2019 50.82 420th 1007 58.3%
2021 83.51 74th 868 91.5%
2022 77.93 147th 949 84.5%
2023 60.46 293rd 958 69.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.63 347th 1333 74.0%
2019 65.94 495th 1331 62.8%
2021 81.60 184th 1290 85.7%
2022 80.40 254th 1326 80.8%
2023 78.48 275th 1318 79.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.28 336th 1334 74.8%
2019 73.53 358th 1335 73.2%
2021 82.26 189th 1297 85.4%
2022 83.20 218th 1324 83.5%
2023 74.46 332nd 1315 74.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.58 205th 517 60.3%
2019 58.14 189th 522 63.8%
2021 68.92 82nd 456 82.0%
2022 79.35 73rd 494 85.2%
2023 94.69 18th 463 96.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 92.19 40th 899 95.6%
2021 99.68 8th 896 99.1%
2022 97.09 23rd 953 97.6%
2023 77.66 169th 982 82.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at South Mountain Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.10 46th 1022 95.5%
2019 70.70 262nd 1023 74.4%
2021 80.44 124th 964 87.1%
2022 79.49 168th 976 82.8%
2023 70.90 259th 975 73.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Mountain Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Open Quote We're first year students at South Mountain, but so far I'm not impressed. The principal is not responsive and seems to think she doesn't report to parents the building is in complete disrepair despite the absurd amount of taxes we pay and the teachers have no support and cannot effectively assess a child, much less feed her strengths and develop her challenge areas. The main issue seems to be that expectations for everyone are set entirely too low. I guess it's not all bad... I've come across some amazing staff members. Close Quote



Enrollment information for South Mountain Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 263 59 22 12 0 n/a n/a 0 356
1989 271 57 20 12 0 n/a n/a 0 360
1990 280 67 21 11 5 n/a n/a 0 384
1991 298 75 29 14 0 n/a n/a 0 416
1992 243 53 21 7 0 n/a n/a 0 324
1993 245 62 20 12 0 n/a n/a 0 339
1994 233 81 16 13 1 n/a n/a 0 344
1995 234 118 17 17 0 n/a n/a 0 386
1996 234 118 17 17 0 n/a n/a 0 386
1998 239 151 13 14 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1999 282 189 17 15 0 n/a n/a 0 503
2000 318 209 12 16 0 n/a n/a 0 555
2001 303 205 18 16 0 n/a n/a 0 542
2002 291 192 18 26 4 n/a n/a 0 531
2003 291 192 18 26 4 n/a n/a 0 531
2004 290 181 18 20 5 n/a n/a 0 514
2005 284 189 19 17 4 n/a n/a 0 513
2006 285 179 22 22 5 n/a n/a 0 513
2007 327 162 27 28 5 n/a n/a 0 549
2008 369 170 23 23 4 n/a n/a 0 589
2009 374 147 30 24 1 0 2 0 578
2010 398 147 34 26 1 0 22 0 628
2011 405 123 31 38 0 0 26 0 623
2012 382 135 32 34 0 1 39 0 623
2013 388 120 26 35 0 1 49 0 619
2014 377 107 27 36 0 1 56 0 604
2015 362 104 31 39 0 1 61 0 598
2016 387 104 27 38 1 1 49 0 607
2017 383 95 27 43 1 1 50 0 600
2018 379 84 26 49 0 0 53 0 591
2019 387 81 28 50 0 1 58 0 605
2020 416 73 28 54 0 1 75 0 647
2021 389 67 30 56 0 1 69 0 612
2022 367 63 32 58 0 1 68 0 589
2023 383 73 29 55 0 2 76 0 618

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Mountain Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 356 17.0 20.9 n/a
1989 360 18.0 20.0 n/a
1990 384 19.0 20.2 3.6
1991 416 24.0 17.3 3.6
1992 324 23.0 14.0 3.4
1993 339 21.5 15.8 2.4
1994 344 23.2 14.8 3.5
1995 386 23.3 16.6 7
1996 386 23.3 16.6 7
1998 417 27.3 15.3 4.6
1999 503 27.6 18.2 3
2000 555 30.0 18.5 6.3
2001 542 30.3 17.9 8.1
2002 531 31.5 16.9 7
2003 531 31.5 16.9 7
2004 514 30.5 16.9 7.2
2005 513 32.0 16.0 n/a
2006 513 31.5 16.3 6.2
2007 549 34.0 16.1 6.4
2008 589 31.0 19.0 5.1
2009 578 33.9 14.7 5.9
2010 628 41.0 15.3 5.7
2011 623 36.2 17.2 5.6
2012 623 43.8 14.2 7.4
2013 619 41.3 14.9 5.3
2014 604 39.0 15.4 5.8
2015 598 37.0 16.1 6.9
2016 607 38.0 15.9 5.1
2017 600 43.1 13.9 5.5
2018 591 46.5 12.7 5.2
2019 605 48.0 12.5 3.5
2020 647 48.6 13.3 3.6
2021 612 49.6 12.3 3.1
2022 589 46.4 12.6 2.4
2023 618 49.4 12.5 2.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Mountain Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 356 17.0 20.9 n/a
1989 360 18.0 20.0 n/a
1990 384 19.0 20.2 3.6
1991 416 24.0 17.3 3.6
1992 324 23.0 14.0 3.4
1993 339 21.5 15.8 2.4
1994 344 23.2 14.8 3.5
1995 386 23.3 16.6 7
1996 386 23.3 16.6 7
1998 417 27.3 15.3 4.6
1999 503 27.6 18.2 3
2000 555 30.0 18.5 6.3
2001 542 30.3 17.9 8.1
2002 531 31.5 16.9 7
2003 531 31.5 16.9 7
2004 514 30.5 16.9 7.2
2005 513 32.0 16.0 n/a
2006 513 31.5 16.3 6.2
2007 549 34.0 16.1 6.4
2008 589 31.0 19.0 5.1
2009 578 33.9 14.7 5.9
2010 628 41.0 15.3 5.7
2011 623 36.2 17.2 5.6
2012 623 43.8 14.2 7.4
2013 619 41.3 14.9 5.3
2014 604 39.0 15.4 5.8
2015 598 37.0 16.1 6.9
2016 607 38.0 15.9 5.1
2017 600 43.1 13.9 5.5
2018 591 46.5 12.7 5.2
2019 605 48.0 12.5 3.5
2020 647 48.6 13.3 3.6
2021 612 49.6 12.3 3.1
2022 589 46.4 12.6 2.4
2023 618 49.4 12.5 2.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Mountain Elementary School

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $5,242

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Mountain Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 436th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 295th of 1342 Elementary schools
 10.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Mountain Elementary School)62.461.6
 0.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Orange-Maplewood School District)62.965.2
 2.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (South Mountain Elementary School)71.361.6
 9.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Orange-Maplewood School District)68.158.7
 9.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South Mountain Elementary School)70.474.7
 4.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Orange-Maplewood School District)71.374.6
 3.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (South Mountain Elementary School)53.159.2
 6.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Orange-Maplewood School District)60.858.7
 2.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South Mountain Elementary School)68.473.4
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Orange-Maplewood School District)70.372.5
 2.2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (South Mountain Elementary School)63.665.9
 2.3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Orange-Maplewood School District)57.656.8
 0.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.840.1
 6.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students605618
 2.1%
African American8173
 9.9%
American Indian00
Asian2829
 3.6%
Hispanic5055
 10%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White387383
 1%
Two or More Races5876
 31%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients3.5%2.6%
 0.9%


Schools Near South Mountain Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about South Mountain Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 618 students attended South Mountain Elementary School.

Students who attend South Mountain Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : South Orange Middle School
High : Columbia High School

Students at South Mountain Elementary School are 62% White, 12% Two or more races, 12% African American, 9% Hispanic, 5% Asian.

South Mountain Elementary School ranks 295th of 1342 New Jersey elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.


Rate South Mountain Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for South Mountain Elementary School!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 167 milliseconds.