School Districts · Union County NJ
Best School Districts in Union County, NJ
An honest, detailed comparison of Westfield, Summit, Cranford, and Kenilworth public schools — ratings, programs, class sizes, and what matters most for your children's education.
#1–2
NJ Ranked Nationally for K-12 Education
10/10
Summit Public Schools GreatSchools Rating
9/10
Westfield Public Schools GreatSchools Rating
97–98%
Graduation Rate Across Union County Districts
The Big Picture
Why NJ schools are in a class of their own
New Jersey's public school system is ranked #1 or #2 nationally by Education Week virtually every year. The state funds education generously, mandates small class sizes, requires rigorous teacher certification, and holds districts accountable through robust state assessments.
Within NJ, Union County sits in the top tier. Even Kenilworth — the most affordable town on this list — has schools performing above the national average. When families move from NYC, "the schools" is almost always the top reason.
NJ K-12 National Ranking
#1 (Education Week 2024)
NJ Average SAT Score
Above national average
NJ 4-Year Graduation Rate
91.1% (vs. 86% nationally)
NJ Teacher Certification
Among strictest in the US
AP Course Offerings
Top 5 states for AP access
NAEP Math (4th Grade)
Top 5 states nationally
District Profiles
Union County school districts, compared
Summit Public Schools
Summit High School
Top-ranked
Total Students
~3,200
Student:Teacher
10:1
Per-Pupil Spending
~$24,000
HS State Rank
Top 5 in NJ
Graduation Rate
98%
College Outcomes
Highly selective
Notable Programs
NJ's most consistently top-ranked district. Comes with the Summit price premium.
Full Summit Guide →Westfield Public Schools
Westfield High School
Outstanding
Total Students
~5,800
Student:Teacher
12:1
Per-Pupil Spending
~$20,000
HS State Rank
Top 10% in NJ
Graduation Rate
98%
College Outcomes
Strong college placement
Notable Programs
Exceptional schools at $475K less than Summit. Best value for top-tier education.
Full Westfield Guide →Cranford Public Schools
Cranford High School
Excellent
Total Students
~3,800
Student:Teacher
13:1
Per-Pupil Spending
~$17,500
HS State Rank
Top 25% in NJ
Graduation Rate
97%
College Outcomes
Good college outcomes
Notable Programs
Strong academics with a warm community feel. Great option at lower price points.
Full Cranford Guide →Kenilworth Public Schools
David Brearley HS
Good
Total Students
~1,900
Student:Teacher
14:1
Per-Pupil Spending
~$16,000
HS State Rank
Above average in NJ
Graduation Rate
97%
College Outcomes
Solid outcomes
Notable Programs
Above-average schools at Union County's most affordable price point.
Full Kenilworth Guide →Special Programs
County-wide magnet & specialized programs
Beyond individual district offerings, Union County runs competitive magnet programs open to all county residents.
Academy for Information Technology (AIT)
Union County Vocational-Technical Schools
Competitive magnet program offering IT, cybersecurity, programming, and digital media. Open to all Union County students by application.
Academy for Allied Health & Biomedical Sciences
Union County Vocational-Technical Schools
Prepares students for careers in healthcare and biomedical research. One of the most competitive programs in the county.
IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma
Summit High School
Globally recognized rigorous diploma program. Summit is one of the few NJ public high schools offering the full IB Diploma.
Union County Performing Arts Center Programs
Rahway (serves county students)
Youth performance and arts education programs partnered with district schools for students county-wide.
Buying by School District
How to find a home in your target school zone
School zones follow municipal boundaries
In New Jersey, your public school district is determined by your municipality, not a separate attendance zone within it. If you buy in Westfield, your children attend Westfield schools — full stop.
Verify with the district before closing
For streets near town borders, always verify the school district directly with the municipality or district before making an offer. Your agent can help confirm.
Grade-level school assignments matter
Within a district, specific elementary schools serve different areas. Westfield, for instance, has five elementary schools — parents have preferences. Your agent knows which zones feed which schools.
Ranking sites are a starting point
GreatSchools.org and Niche.com give useful overviews, but visit schools, talk to current parents, and read state report cards at state.nj.us/education for the full picture.
School vs. Price: The Trade-Off
What buying in each district costs you on the median home
$1,350,000
Price premium: Highest
$875,000
Price premium: High
$615,000
Price premium: Moderate
$490,000
Price premium: Lowest
Medians are approximate. A 1-point school rating difference can translate to $200K+ in home value in Union County.
FAQs
School district questions answered
What are the best school districts in Union County NJ?
Summit (10/10 GreatSchools, top 5 statewide) and Westfield (9/10, top 10% in NJ) are the top two. Cranford (8/10) and Kenilworth (7/10) are also strong — all above NJ average, which is already #1 nationally.
Is Westfield NJ a good school district?
Yes — consistently 9/10 and in the top 10% of NJ schools. Westfield High is nationally recognized for academics, arts, and athletics. It's one of the best school districts in Union County at a significantly lower price point than Summit.
How do Summit and Westfield schools compare?
Summit edges Westfield slightly in test scores and GreatSchools rating (10 vs. 9). But Westfield is larger with more extracurricular breadth. The bigger difference is home prices — $1.35M median in Summit vs. $875K in Westfield. Both produce excellent college outcomes.
Are there magnet programs in Union County?
Yes. The Academy for Information Technology (AIT) and the Academy for Allied Health & Biomedical Sciences are competitive county-wide magnet programs open by application. Summit High School offers an IB Diploma. Check UCVTS.org for current admissions info.
Does NJ have good schools overall?
NJ is consistently ranked #1 or #2 in the nation for K-12 education by Education Week. Any town in Union County gives your children access to a world-class public education — a major driver of why families relocate here from NYC.
School District Search
Find the right home in the right school zone
Tell us your must-have district and budget — we'll find homes that fit both. Michelle knows every elementary school zone in Westfield, Summit, Cranford, and Kenilworth.