Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

South Orange-Maplewood School District

New Jersey · Public School District
11
Schools
6,562
Students
$32,140
Per-Pupil Spend
+124% nat'l
12.3%
Free Lunch Rate
-40pp vs nat'l
91.0%
Graduation Rate
+4.5pp vs nat'l
District Overview

South Orange-Maplewood School District is a public school district in New Jersey serving 6,562 students across 11 schools. It includes 7 elementary, 2 middle, 1 high schools. Its graduation rate of 91.0% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $32,140 is above average for a US public school district. Only 12% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a relatively low-poverty student body. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 37/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (11)
Middle Schools2 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Maplewood Middle School06–08721
South Orange Middle School06–08770
High School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Columbia High School09–121,930
Other School1 school
SchoolGradesStudents
Montrose Early Childhood CenterPK–PK100
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$32,140+124% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
25%
72%
State
24.6%
Local (property tax)
72.2%
Federal
3.3%

This district draws the majority of its budget from local property taxes (72%), typical of wealthier suburban districts.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
11
Schools
6,562
Students
12%
Free Lunch
$32K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate91.0%
Opportunity Score37/100
StateNew Jersey →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
91.0% graduation rate — 4.5 points above the national average of 86.5%.
High per-student investment
Spends $32,140 per pupil — 124% above the national average of $14,347.
Low economic disadvantage rate
Only 12% of students qualify for free lunch, well below the national rate of 52.2%.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in South Orange-Maplewood School District?
South Orange-Maplewood School District has 11 public schools, serving a total of 6,562 students.
What is the graduation rate for South Orange-Maplewood School District?
The graduation rate is 91.0%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does South Orange-Maplewood School District spend per student?
South Orange-Maplewood School District spends $32,140 per pupil — 124% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in South Orange-Maplewood School District?
12% of students in South Orange-Maplewood School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in South Orange-Maplewood School District?
No, South Orange-Maplewood School District does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does South Orange-Maplewood School District serve?
South Orange-Maplewood School District serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for South Orange-Maplewood School District?
The median opportunity score across schools in South Orange-Maplewood School District is 37/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.