- West Essex High School — 3.2 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,061 students
- West Essex Middle School — 3.2 mi · Grades 7–8 · 558 students
| Metric | West Essex Regional School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 1,663 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $32,531/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 85% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
Zip code 07021 is not served by one district. An elementary district and a separate secondary district each cover this area, which is normal in this state — which one your child attends depends on their grade.
| GRADES | DISTRICT | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| K–6 Elementary | Essex Fells Borough School District 247 students · 1 school | 10/10 |
| 7–12 Secondary | West Essex Regional School District 1,663 students · 2 schools | 8/10 |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Essex Regional School District (this district) | 8/10 | 71st | 1,663 |
| Caldwell-West Caldwell School District | 8/10 | 70th | 2,601 |
| Verona Borough School District | 8/10 | 78th | 2,176 |
| West Orange Town School District | 7/10 | 65th | 6,835 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → → 5/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About West Essex Regional School District
West Essex Regional School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 07021 in Essex Fells, New Jersey. Serving students from 7th–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 07021. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
West Essex Regional School District spent $32,531 per pupil in FY2024, above the New Jersey state average of $27,234 and well above the national average of $17,619 (US Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances). 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 2 schools, West Essex Regional School District operates as a small, community-focused district serving students from 7th–12th. The district enrolls approximately 1,663 students in total. 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 8/10 Rating
West Essex Regional School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 8/10, placing it in the above average tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 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.
West Essex Regional School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in New Jersey. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 07021
Children in zip code 07021 are assigned to West Essex Regional School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 7th–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 07021, 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 West Essex Regional School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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 Essex Fells
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because West Essex Regional School District serves zip code 07021, homes in and around zip code 07021 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 West Essex Regional 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 07021.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with West Essex Regional School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 07021 data.