Of course, choosinā g the rš ight school for your child is a big decision.
You want great teachers, a strong learningš° program, and a cą± ommunity that helps your child feel supported and inspired.
Luckily, Bergen County has some of the bestā elemenš¦¹tary schools in New Jersey!
With small classes, caring teachers, and exciting programs like STšEM, these schools offer everything kids need to learn aź¦nd grow.
To make it easier for you, hereās a simple guide to the best elementaš ŗry schools in Bergen County.
- Schools like Alpine and Orchard Elementary offer strong academics, small class sizes, and programs like STEM to help kids succeed.
- Schools such as Hawes and Cherry Hill are praised for their welcoming and inclusive environments, where children feel supported and happy.
- Many Bergen schools, including those in Ridgewood and Tenafly, are highly ranked for their focus on academics, activities, and student growth.
Bergenās Top Schools According to U.S. News
Bergen County is home to some of the best elementary schools in New Jersey.
According to the 2025 U.S. News rankings, four schools made it into the top 25 out of mš“ore than 2,300 schools statewide.
These schools have earned their spots because of their stronź¦«g academics, excellent teachers, and welcoming communities.
Letās take a closer look at them.
1. Orchard Elementary School, Ridgewood
Ranked #10 in New Jersey, Orchard Elementary School is a favorite for families who want a balancšØe between academics and a supportive commuąµ©nity.
In fact, the school hšas 346 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, meaning kids get plenty of personal attention in class.
Orchard is known for itās warm, friendly environment where children feel encouraged to learn and grow.
Due to its ranking, this could well be the best elementš¦ary school for your little one/s.
2. Brookside School, Allendale
Brookside School is ranked 17th in New Jersey and is known for balancing academics and š“fun activitišøes.
As one of the top schools in NJ, they focus on nurturinš¦g students to feel confident and happy while learning.
Families praise Brookside for its strong support ā±system that helps children succeed in and oušt of the classroom.
3. Alexander Hamilton School, Glen Rock
Coming in at #21 in the state, Alexander Hamilton School is where kids can thrive academically and explore their š·interests in extracurricular activities.
The school’s strong focus on learning and creativity gives students opportunities to excel in all areas of their education.
Parents appreciate its wš§ell-rounded approach sšince it, in turn, helps prepare kids for the future.
4. Cherry Hill School, River Edge
Ranked #25 in New Jersey, Cherry Hill School is one of the largest on the list, withšÆ 713ļ·ŗ students.
Deš§øspite its sš ize, the school maintains a close-knit, family-like atmosphere.
With a sš¬tudent-teacher ratio of 11:1, Cherry Hill ensures students receive the guidance they need to succeed.
Parents often highlight the caring and dedicā±ated teachers who go out of their way to support every chišld.
The schoolās strong sense of community and academic focus make it a top pick fāor famiālies.
The Niche.com Top 10Ā
Niche.com is like the Yelp for schools.
It uses data lā¤ike academics, diversąµ©ity, and parent reviews to grade schools.
Ten Bergen County āelementary schools made the top of their list for 2025, proving theyāre some of the best places for kids to learn and grow.
1. Alpine Public School (Alpine)
šRanked #2 in New Jersey, Alpine Public School is a top-notch school with only 165 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1.
And it’s amazing how its small size and personalized attention give it the feel of a private school.
Parents love how wšelcoming and down-to-earth the community is, even though theą¼ school is in one of the wealthiest areas.
Alpine also stands out for its strź¦¦ong STEM and STEAM programs, which prepare students foš r the future in fun and creative ways.
2. Orchard Elementary School (Ridgewood)
Orchard Elementary School is a star in the U.S. News and Niche.com rankš¦©ings.
With 346šŗ students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, this school is known for its high academic standards and warm, supportive environment.
Parents praise the school for giving studšents a strong academic foundation while fostering a sense of community and belongišng.
3. Hawes Elementary School (Ridgewood)
Hawes Elementary has a student-teacheš r ratio of 12:1 and is described by parents as a nurturing and supportive schš¦ool.
Teachers here are known for going the extra mile to ensure every child feels valued and encouršageź§d to succeed.
Families love how the school balances academics with opportunities for creativity and personal groā±wth, which makes it a favorite in the Ridgewood area.
4. Cherry Hill School (River Edge)
Cherry Hill School made iš“š¦©t onto both the U.S. News and Niche.com lists, and for good reason.
With 713 students and a ļ·ŗstudent-teacher ratio of 11:1, it combines strong academics with a tight-knit, family-like atmosphere.
Parents often highlight the schoolās caringš teachers and the sense of cź¦ ommunity that makes it a special place for kids to learn and grow.
5. Wandell School (Saddle River)
Wandell School is one of thše smallest schools on the list, with just 107 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
Parents love the small class sizes becauź¦«se they allow teachers to give kids lots of individual attention.
Wandell is praiź¦sed for creating a calm, focused environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
6. Ridge Elementary School (Ridgewood)
Ridge Elementary is well-loved for its amazing teachers and the strong involvement of pareš½nts in the school community.
Families appreciate how the school encourages kids to reach their full potential į©į©į©į©į©į©ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©ā¤ā¤ā¤ā¤į©š±į©į©į©while teaching them the importance of teamwork and giving back to the community.
7. Willard Elementary School (Ridgewood)
Willard Elementary makes transitioniź¦ng to a new school easy for kids and theiā¦r families.
Parents share how quickly their children adjusted, thanks to the welcoming teachers and supportive eź¦nvironment.
Willard stands out for combining strong academics wišth a focus on student wellź¦-being, which makes it a top choice for Ridgewood families.
8. Edith A. Bogert Elementary School (Upper Saddle River)
Edith A. Bogert Elementary is known for providing a well-rošunded education in a close-knit school commź§unity.
Parents praisź§e the dedicated teachers who support their kids in every way, and the schoolās enrichment programs allow students to explore their talents and interests beyond the classroom.
9. Malcolm S. Mackay Elementary School (Tenafly)
Malcolm S. Mackay Elementš°ary has a student-teacher ratio of ź¦Æ9:1, so kids get plenty of attention and care here.
Parents love the friendly and supportive atmosphere, along with the exciting aź¦fter-school activities that help ką¹ids grow outside of academics.
Families often say this school does a great job preparing stuź¦dents for middle school and beyond.
10. Ralph S. Maugham Elementary School (Tenafly)
Ralph S. Maugham Elementary ź¦”wraps up the top 10 list with 333 students and a glowing reputation.
Parents often talk about thāe passion and kindness of the teachers, who create a positive and encouraging place for kids to learn.
One parent said it best: āGreat teachers and a loving community!ā
But Wait, Thereās More!
Aside from the top 10, there šare so many other fantastic NJ schools.
Hereās a list of more schools that parents love:
- Walter Stillman Elementary School (Tenafly)
- J. Spencer Smith Elementary School (Tenafly)
- Somerville Elementary School (Ridgewood)
- Ho-Ho-Kus Public School (Ho-Ho-Kus)
- Travell Elementary School (Ridgewood)
- Haworth Public School (Haworth)
- Luther Lee Emerson School (Demarest)
- Lyncrest Elementary School (Fair Lawn)
- Roosevelt Elementary School (River Edge)
- Upper School (Englewood Cliffs)
- Oradell School (Oradell)
- Harrington Park School (Harrington Park)
- Henry B. Milnes Elementary School (Fair Lawn)
- Fort Lee School No. 1 (Fort Lee)
- Alexander Hamilton School (Glen Rock)
Your Childās Future Starts Here
Every child deserves a school whereź§ they can learn, grow, and feel supported š“daily.
Bergen Countyās top schools are ready to welcome your family with open arms ašÆnd help your child reacšh their full potential.
Theāse schools offer everything your child needs to succeedāgreat teachers, strong academics, and a caring community.
Start your journey now and give your child theš§ bright, eź§ xciting future they deserve!
