| Metric | Linden City School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 6,125 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 11 | 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 | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linden City School District (this district) | 2/10 | 12th | 6,125 |
| Lincoln Park Borough School District | 8/10 | 76th | 885 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District | 8/10 | 79th | 7,067 |
| Kenilworth Borough School District | 5/10 | 40th | 1,473 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 12th percentile → 2/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Linden City School District
Linden City School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 07036 in Linden, New Jersey. Serving students from Kindergarten – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 07036. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in New Jersey spend approximately $23,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), well above the national average (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts at this funding level typically offer smaller class sizes, broader elective and extracurricular programs, stronger technology infrastructure, and more competitive teacher salaries. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Linden City School District is a large district with 11 schools serving students from Kindergarten – 12th. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Linden City School District 2 out of 10 — low-rated 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.
Linden City School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in New Jersey on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 07036
Children in zip code 07036 are assigned to Linden City School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 07036, 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 Linden City School District at (209)887-3894 or visit www.lindenusd.com. 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 Linden
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Linden City School District serves zip code 07036, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 07036. 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 Linden City 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 07036.
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 Linden City School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 07036 data.