- West Essex Middle School — Grades 7–8 · 558 students
- West Essex High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students
Zip code 07021 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| K–6 Elementary | Essex Fells Borough School District 247 students · 1 school | 10/10 |
| 7–12 Secondary | West Essex Regional School District 1,663 students · 2 schools | 8/10 |
| Metric | Essex Fells Borough School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,663 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $23,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Fells Borough School District (this district) | 8/10 | 71st | 1,663 |
| Edgewater Borough School District | 8/10 | 70th | 673 |
| Fairview Borough School District | 1/10 | 6th | 1,565 |
| Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District | 9/10 | 82nd | 5,646 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 71st percentile → 8/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Essex Fells Borough School District
Zip code 07021 in Essex Fells Borough, New Jersey is served by Essex Fells Borough School District for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 6th. This page provides a data-driven overview of Essex Fells Borough School District’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Essex Fells Borough School District 8 out of 10 — above average among New Jersey public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in New Jersey’s NJSLA grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Jersey is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Essex Fells Borough School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in New Jersey. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 07021
Children in zip code 07021 are assigned to Essex Fells Borough School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 6th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 07021, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Essex Fells Borough School District at (973)228-1200 or visit www.westex.org. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Jersey districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Essex Fells
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Essex Fells Borough School District serves zip code 07021, homes in and around zip code 07021 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Jersey, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Essex Fells Borough School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 07021.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Essex Fells Borough School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 07021 data.