Princeton
Public Schools
Princeton Public Schools pairs a compact, walkable district with academics that rank among New Jersey's strongest. Six schools serve about 3,650 to 3,830 students (2024-25): four neighborhood K-5 elementaries, Princeton Middle School, and Princeton High School, plus a full-day preschool program. On the SAT, the clearest and most comparable academic measure, Princeton High School's 2024-25 average total of 1320 ranks 5th among all New Jersey public high schools. Many Princeton children can walk or bike to school, part of what makes the town's in-town neighborhoods so sought after.
~3,650-3,830
Students district-wide (2024-25)
1320
PHS average SAT total (2024-25)
#5
NJ public high school SAT rank (2024-25)
94.6-95%
Graduation rate
Six schools, one walkable district
Elementary assignment follows the home's location, one of the first things we confirm on any Princeton listing.
| Preschool | Full-day district preschool program |
| Elementary (K-5) | Community Park · Johnson Park · Littlebrook · Riverside |
| Middle | Princeton Middle School (6-8) |
| High | Princeton High School (9-12; also receives Cranbury students via send-receive) |
How Princeton ranks
Why SAT, not a ratings site. We lean on average SAT totals rather than crowd-sourced grades like Niche, since the SAT is a single, objective, year-over-year comparable number rather than a weighted opinion score.
SAT (2024-25). Princeton High School's average total is 1320 (Math 658, Reading & Writing 662), ranking 5th among all New Jersey public high schools, and one of four Greater Princeton high schools in the state's top five. See the full Greater Princeton SAT comparison.
Outcomes. The graduation rate is about 94.6-95%. Of the class of 2024, 92% went on to four-year colleges, and 19 students were admitted to Princeton University.
What stands out academically
AP depth. 27 AP courses, and 92% of the district's 2024 AP exams scored 3 or higher.
Dual enrollment. Qualified students can take courses through Princeton University, Mercer County Community College, and The College of New Jersey.
Language immersion. Spanish dual-language immersion at Community Park Elementary.
Arts. PHS is known for its choir and for the Studio Band that inspired the film Whiplash, music is a genuine strength of the school, not an afterthought.
Neighborhoods that feed Princeton schools
Every home in Princeton is in the district, and the four K-5 elementaries are neighborhood schools, so the zoned elementary shifts with the address. In-town streets near Community Park and Riverside are especially prized by families who want a walk-to-school routine. One caution for buyers: many "Princeton" mailing addresses in 08540 are actually in Montgomery, South Brunswick, or other townships and attend those districts, we verify the actual district on every listing.
Explore Princeton's neighborhoods street by street in our neighborhood guides.
What's changing in the district
$89.1M facilities bond. Approved by voters in January 2025, with construction running through late 2027, an investment in the district's buildings that buyers will see in progress.
New superintendent. Dr. Michael LaSusa took over as superintendent in July 2025.
2026-27 budget. The district adopted a $116M budget with a 4.33% tax levy increase.
Princeton Schools
FAQ
How good are Princeton Public Schools?
Princeton High School's 2024-25 average SAT total is 1320, ranking 5th among all New Jersey public high schools; the graduation rate is about 94.6-95%, and 92% of the class of 2024 went on to four-year colleges.
Which schools would my child attend?
One of four neighborhood K-5 elementaries (Community Park, Johnson Park, Littlebrook, Riverside) depending on your address, then Princeton Middle School (6-8) and Princeton High School (9-12). The district also runs a full-day preschool program.
Does Cranbury attend Princeton High School?
Yes. Cranbury sends its high school students to PHS through a send-receive relationship, so PHS serves both Princeton and Cranbury students in grades 9-12.
What academic programs stand out?
27 AP courses with 92% of 2024 AP exams scoring 3+, dual enrollment with Princeton University, MCCC, and TCNJ, Spanish dual-language immersion at Community Park, and a nationally known music program including the Studio Band that inspired Whiplash.
What's changing in the district?
An $89.1M facilities bond approved in January 2025 (construction through late 2027), a new superintendent (Dr. Michael LaSusa, July 2025), and a $116M 2026-27 budget with a 4.33% levy increase.
Rankings and statistics are from the school years cited above and change over time; please verify current figures directly with the district.
Buying into Princeton Public Schools? Princeton's market moves fast and the elementary zones matter to many buyers. We track every new Princeton listing daily, confirm the zoned school and the actual district for any address (including the 08540 mailing-address traps), and help you weigh Princeton against nearby districts. Start with Princeton homes for sale or ask us about a specific street.
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