J Spencer Smith School

Summary:

J Spencer Smith School is an exceptional elementary school in Tenafly, New Jersey, serving students from kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Tenafly Public School District, which is ranked 22 out of 615 school districts in the state.

J Spencer Smith School consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in New Jersey, with students performing exceptionally well on standardized tests, far exceeding state averages in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in the 2022-2023 school year, 90.5% of 4th-grade students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 51.3%. The school also has a diverse student population, with a significant Asian student population (around 35%) and a majority White student population (around 54%), which is notably different from the nearby Englewood Public School District schools. Additionally, J Spencer Smith School has consistently low chronic absenteeism rates and an extremely low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively affluent student population.

The exceptional academic performance and unique characteristics of J Spencer Smith School provide valuable insights that could inform educational practices and policies in the surrounding area. Given the school's high performance, there may be opportunities for J Spencer Smith to share best practices and collaborate with nearby schools, particularly those in the Englewood Public School District, which face more significant socioeconomic challenges, to help improve educational outcomes in the broader region.


Detail:

Public K-5

 101 Downey Drive
       Tenafly, NJ  07670


(201) 816-7715

District: Tenafly Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
27th of 1,342 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,277 Help


Students who attend J Spencer Smith School usually attend:

Middle:    Tenafly Middle School
High:    Tenafly High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.5 Help
Number of students:  347

Racial breakdown:

White:
53.9%
Asian:
34.9%
Hispanic:
5.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  0.9% Help


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 Compare J Spencer Smith School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details J Spencer Smith School ranks better than 98% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks first among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Tenafly Public School District! (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 95.3. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (53.9%), Asian (34.9%), Hispanic (5.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 0.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Tenafly Public School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at J Spencer Smith School is 12.5, which is the 2nd best among 4 elementary schools in the Tenafly Public School District. (See more...)
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Compare J Spencer Smith School employs 27.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at J Spencer Smith School is $11,277, which is the 2nd highest among 4 elementary schools in the Tenafly Public School District.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

J Spencer Smith School:

SchoolDigger ranks J Spencer Smith School 27th of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See J Spencer Smith School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
White students:


Tenafly Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Tenafly Public School District 22nd of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for J Spencer Smith School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 89.71 13th 1204 98.9%
2004 87.42 24th 1298 98.2%
2005 84.97 44th 1303 96.6%
2006 76.30 296th 1314 77.5%
2007 81.62 77th 1329 94.2%
2008 84.43 44th 1338 96.7%
2009 86.61 58th 1346 95.7%
2010 87.10 32nd 1354 97.6%
2011 84.90 79th 1360 94.2%
2012 83.63 108th 1363 92.1%
2013 81.32 200th 1367 85.4%
2014 87.93 39th 1363 97.1%
2015 91.61 80th 1357 94.1%
2016 93.00 52nd 1346 96.1%
2017 90.39 83rd 1352 93.9%
2018 86.98 140th 1353 89.7%
2019 87.88 126th 1360 90.7%
2021 93.22 73rd 1317 94.5%
2022 93.16 76th 1345 94.3%
2023 95.30 27th 1342 98.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 76.01 180th 1007 82.1%
2021 54.98 313th 868 63.9%
2022 61.86 291st 949 69.3%
2023 60.35 295th 958 69.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 87.14 115th 1333 91.4%
2019 87.90 101st 1331 92.4%
2021 87.33 127th 1290 90.2%
2022 92.31 71st 1326 94.6%
2023 93.93 42nd 1318 96.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.53 187th 1334 86.0%
2019 86.49 129th 1335 90.3%
2021 95.25 30th 1297 97.7%
2022 92.15 81st 1324 93.9%
2023 94.96 30th 1315 97.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.48 128th 370 65.4%
2019 68.44 107th 370 71.1%
2021 79.24 51st 339 85.0%
2022 77.60 61st 348 82.5%
2023 85.72 18th 346 94.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for White students at J Spencer Smith School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.00 199th 1022 80.5%
2019 78.09 165th 1023 83.9%
2021 80.91 120th 964 87.6%
2022 81.67 140th 976 85.7%
2023 87.98 74th 975 92.4%
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.

J Spencer Smith School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for J Spencer Smith School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 166 2 30 2 0 n/a n/a 0 200
1989 170 1 24 3 0 n/a n/a 0 198
1990 172 3 33 4 0 n/a n/a 0 212
1991 200 3 28 2 0 n/a n/a 0 233
1992 199 2 32 4 0 n/a n/a 0 237
1993 203 5 34 8 0 n/a n/a 0 250
1994 195 6 39 11 0 n/a n/a 0 251
1995 203 0 29 10 0 n/a n/a 0 242
1996 203 0 29 10 0 n/a n/a 0 242
1998 226 3 23 2 0 n/a n/a 0 254
1999 232 3 28 2 0 n/a n/a 0 265
2000 266 2 22 6 0 n/a n/a 0 296
2001 289 2 21 7 0 n/a n/a 0 319
2002 265 4 37 1 0 n/a n/a 0 307
2003 265 4 37 1 0 n/a n/a 0 307
2004 271 4 40 2 0 n/a n/a 0 317
2005 277 6 47 2 0 n/a n/a 0 332
2006 284 8 50 3 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2007 269 8 60 7 0 n/a n/a 0 344
2008 293 6 58 4 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2009 295 5 61 5 0 0 0 0 366
2010 283 5 74 4 0 0 1 0 367
2011 277 5 68 11 0 0 4 0 365
2012 258 4 76 17 0 0 10 0 365
2013 230 6 95 23 0 0 13 0 367
2014 224 6 101 24 0 0 15 0 370
2015 222 5 117 29 0 0 16 0 389
2016 212 9 110 23 0 0 17 0 371
2017 208 10 112 21 0 0 18 0 369
2018 205 12 110 20 0 0 13 0 360
2019 214 11 114 16 0 0 19 0 374
2020 221 8 124 14 0 0 16 0 383
2021 194 9 119 16 0 0 12 0 350
2022 193 5 122 18 0 0 15 0 353
2023 187 5 121 18 0 0 16 0 347

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 J Spencer Smith School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 200 13.0 15.3 n/a
1989 198 14.0 14.1 n/a
1990 212 13.0 16.3 0.9
1991 233 16.0 14.5 0.9
1992 237 16.0 14.8 0.8
1993 250 16.4 15.2 1.6
1994 251 16.8 14.9 1.2
1995 242 17.7 13.7 0.8
1996 242 17.7 13.7 0.8
1998 254 18.0 14.1 0.8
1999 265 17.0 15.6 1.5
2000 296 18.5 16.0 1
2001 319 18.8 17.0 0.3
2002 307 18.5 16.6 0.3
2003 307 18.5 16.6 0.3
2004 317 20.5 15.5 0.3
2005 332 22.3 14.9 n/a
2006 345 23.5 14.7 0
2007 344 22.0 15.6 n/a
2008 361 22.0 16.4 n/a
2009 366 35.6 8.7 0.8
2010 367 23.0 15.9 1.1
2011 365 22.6 16.1 0
2012 365 27.0 13.4 0.8
2013 367 25.6 14.3 1.1
2014 370 29.5 12.5 0.8
2015 389 29.0 13.4 0.8
2016 371 29.0 12.7 0.8
2017 369 28.6 12.8 1.4
2018 360 28.6 12.5 1.9
2019 374 27.6 13.5 2.1
2020 383 27.7 13.8 0.8
2021 350 30.6 11.4 0.9
2022 353 30.2 11.6 0.8
2023 347 27.6 12.5 0.9

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 J Spencer Smith School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 200 13.0 15.3 n/a
1989 198 14.0 14.1 n/a
1990 212 13.0 16.3 0.9
1991 233 16.0 14.5 0.9
1992 237 16.0 14.8 0.8
1993 250 16.4 15.2 1.6
1994 251 16.8 14.9 1.2
1995 242 17.7 13.7 0.8
1996 242 17.7 13.7 0.8
1998 254 18.0 14.1 0.8
1999 265 17.0 15.6 1.5
2000 296 18.5 16.0 1
2001 319 18.8 17.0 0.3
2002 307 18.5 16.6 0.3
2003 307 18.5 16.6 0.3
2004 317 20.5 15.5 0.3
2005 332 22.3 14.9 n/a
2006 345 23.5 14.7 0
2007 344 22.0 15.6 n/a
2008 361 22.0 16.4 n/a
2009 366 35.6 8.7 0.8
2010 367 23.0 15.9 1.1
2011 365 22.6 16.1 0
2012 365 27.0 13.4 0.8
2013 367 25.6 14.3 1.1
2014 370 29.5 12.5 0.8
2015 389 29.0 13.4 0.8
2016 371 29.0 12.7 0.8
2017 369 28.6 12.8 1.4
2018 360 28.6 12.5 1.9
2019 374 27.6 13.5 2.1
2020 383 27.7 13.8 0.8
2021 350 30.6 11.4 0.9
2022 353 30.2 11.6 0.8
2023 347 27.6 12.5 0.9

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 J Spencer Smith School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $28 (0.2%) $11,249 (99.8%) $11,277

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

Impact of COVID-19 on J Spencer Smith 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 126th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 27th of 1342 Elementary schools
 7.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (J Spencer Smith School)81.178.2
 2.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tenafly Public School District)74.476.2
 1.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (J Spencer Smith School)70.887.2
 16.4%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Tenafly Public School District)76.285.9
 9.7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (J Spencer Smith School)85.390.5
 5.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Tenafly Public School District)83.781.6
 2.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (J Spencer Smith School)82.686
 3.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Tenafly Public School District)82.379.9
 2.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (J Spencer Smith School)80.684.6
 4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Tenafly Public School District)86.286.2
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (J Spencer Smith School)74.279.4
 5.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Tenafly Public School District)82.380.8
 1.5%
   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 Students374347
 7.2%
African American115
 54.5%
American Indian00
Asian114121
 6.1%
Hispanic1618
 12.5%
Pacific Islander00
White214187
 12.6%
Two or More Races1916
 15.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients2.1%0.9%
 1.3%


Schools Near J Spencer Smith School









Frequently Asked Questions about J Spencer Smith School

In the 2022-23 school year, 347 students attended J Spencer Smith School.

Students at J Spencer Smith School are 54% White, 35% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Students who attend J Spencer Smith School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Tenafly Middle School
High : Tenafly High School

Yes! J Spencer Smith School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 27th of 1342 New Jersey elementary schools.


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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.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries 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.





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