- Littlebrook School — Grades PK–5 · 374 students
- Johnson Park School — Grades PK–5 · 360 students
- Community Park School — Grades PK–5 · 316 students
- Riverside School — Grades PK–5 · 306 students
- Princeton Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 794 students
- Princeton High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,518 students
| Metric | Princeton Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 3,817 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 6 | 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 | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton Public Schools (this district) | 10/10 | 92nd | 3,817 |
| West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District | 9/10 | 87th | 9,027 |
| Millstone Township School District | 8/10 | 72nd | 1,173 |
| Hopewell Valley Regional School District | 9/10 | 82nd | 3,474 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 92nd percentile → 10/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Princeton Public Schools
Families in zip code 08542 (Princeton, New Jersey) are assigned to Princeton Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
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
With 6 schools serving approximately 3,817 students across grades Pre-K – 12th, Princeton Public Schools is a mid-sized district. Contact Princeton Public Schools to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Princeton Public Schools 9 out of 10 — top-tier 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.
Princeton Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in New Jersey on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 08542 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 08542
Children in zip code 08542 are assigned to Princeton Public Schools 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 08542, 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 Princeton Public Schools at (207)427-6913 or visit www.aos90.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 Princeton
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Princeton Public Schools serves zip code 08542, homes in and around zip code 08542 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 Princeton Public Schools 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 08542.
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 Princeton Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 08542 data.