- Enrollment
- 1,985
- Students per teacher
- 13.2:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · S Orange, NJ
South Mountain Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Mountain Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 68/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 341533002442
👥 S:T ratio 50
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 84
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Mountain Elementary School earns 68/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the New Jersey median.
- #1 of 3
- public schools in S Orange · Resource Index
- 68
- Resource Index · Higher
- 12.5:1
- students per teacher
- 1.8%
- free-lunch eligible
South Mountain Elementary School has class sizes near the New Jersey median. Computed live against every New Jersey school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Mountain Elementary School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in S Orange, NJ.
School address
District: South Orange-Maplewood School District · New Jersey
NCES ID 341533002442 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+32 students YoY
South Mountain Elementary School grew from 618 students in 2022-23 to 650 in 2023-24 (+5.2%).
Teacher FTE held 49.4 → 49.4 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+32 students YoY 341533002442 · S Orange, NJ Other · MID · TRAD
613 enr · 12.5:1 · 1.8% lunch · RII 68
Nearest enrollment peer: Columbia High School (1,985 students)
South Mountain Elementary School grew from 618 students in 2022-23 to 650 in 2023-24 (+5.2%). Teacher FTE held 49.4 → 49.4 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · New Jersey schools → · Find another →
South Mountain Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Columbia High
Columbia High School
1,985 students
- Maplewood Midd 762
Maplewood Middle School
762 students
- South Orange M 752
South Orange Middle School
752 students
- This school 613
South Mountain Elementary School
613 students
- Clinton Elemen 542
Clinton Elementary School
542 students
- Tuscan Element 531
Tuscan Elementary School
531 students
What this shows South Mountain Elementary School reports 613 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Mountain Elementary School compares
South Mountain Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs New Jersey and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs New Jersey | New Jersey avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.5:1 | ▲ 6% | 11.8:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 1.8% | ▼ 94% | 29.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 613 | top 27% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.5:1
Leaner classes than 71% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
613
Bigger than 74% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
1.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 94% below the New Jersey average of 29.6%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
12.5:1
students per teacher
- 6% above state mean
Top 68% in New Jersey - lower ratio than 32% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
6.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$24,186
per pupil, district-wide
- below New Jersey avg of $26,225
Well above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting substantially higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 59.6%
Two or More 13.4%
African American 12.3%
Hispanic or Latino 10.8%
Asian 3.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.3%
Largest group: White at 59.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 59.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 59.9, South Mountain Elementary School is more mixed than the New Jersey school average of 51.2.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for South Orange-Maplewood School District reports $24,186 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Mountain Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia High School | Larger | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Maplewood Middle School | Similar size | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| South Orange Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Clinton Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Tuscan Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Mountain Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 762
- Students per teacher
- 9.6:1
- Resource Index
- 64/100
- Enrollment
- 752
- Students per teacher
- 9.3:1
- Resource Index
- 48/100
- Enrollment
- 542
- Students per teacher
- 10.8:1
- Resource Index
- 70/100
- Enrollment
- 531
- Students per teacher
- 11.5:1
- Resource Index
- 53/100
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~613 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Mountain Elementary School
How many students attend South Mountain Elementary School?
South Mountain Elementary School has 613 students enrolled. It is a public school in S Orange, NJ. CCD year-over-year: 618 (2022-23) → 650 (2023-24), up 32.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mountain Elementary School is 12.5:1, which is 6% higher than the New Jersey average of 11.8:1 and 20% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Mountain Elementary School?
1.8% of students at South Mountain Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the New Jersey average of 29.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Mountain Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Mountain Elementary School is White at 59.6% of enrollment, in S Orange, NJ. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 59.9/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Mountain Elementary School?
South Mountain Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 68/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Mountain Elementary School rank among public schools in S Orange?
By Resource Investment Index, South Mountain Elementary School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in S Orange, NJ. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking.
What other schools are in South Orange-Maplewood School District?
Besides South Mountain Elementary School, South Orange-Maplewood School District also operates Columbia High School (1,985 students), Maplewood Middle School (762 students), and South Orange Middle School (752 students). See the South Orange-Maplewood School District district page for the complete list.