| Metric | Clayton Borough School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,489 | 3,700 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 3 | 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 | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Borough School District (this district) | 3/10 | 22nd | 1,489 |
| Lawrence Township School District | 3/10 | 24th | 484 |
| Buena Regional School District | 2/10 | 14th | 1,602 |
| Maurice River Township School District | 4/10 | 34th | 402 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 22nd percentile → 3/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Clayton Borough School District
Clayton Borough School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 08312 in Clayton Borough, New Jersey. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 08312. 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
At 3 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Clayton Borough School District qualifies as a small, community-focused district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Small districts often benefit from tighter community cohesion, more personalized teacher-student relationships, and stronger parental involvement. The trade-off is narrower program variety: fewer elective courses, specialized tracks, or extracurricular options than larger systems offer.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
With a rating of 3/10 (below average), Clayton Borough School District ranks among New Jersey’s low-rated-rated school systems. 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.
Clayton Borough 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 08312
Children in zip code 08312 are assigned to Clayton Borough School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 08312, 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 Clayton Borough School District at (856)881-8700 or visit www.claytonps.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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 Clayton Borough
For families considering a purchase in the Clayton Borough area, district assignment matters financially. Because Clayton Borough School District serves zip code 08312, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 08312. 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 Clayton 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 08312.
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 Clayton Borough School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 08312 data.