For the 2025 school year, there are 94 public middle schools serving 69,604 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top ranked public middle schools in Essex County, NJ are Millburn Middle School, Science Park High School and The Gray Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the New Jersey public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 48% statewide average). Middle schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public middle school average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Essex County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Millburn Middle School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Old Short Hills Rd
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 379-2600
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 379-2600
Gr: 6-8 | 1,119 student Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22.
Science Park High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
260 Norfolk Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Gr: 7-12 | 970 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #33.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Gr: K-8 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Heritage Middle School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
20 Foxcroft Dr
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 7-8 | 1,004 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #55.
Glen Ridge High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Gr: 7-12 | 811 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #66.
West Essex Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
65 West Greenbrook Rd
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Gr: 7-8 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Buzz Aldrin Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
173 Bellevue Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4220
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4220
Gr: 6-8 | 607 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #88.
Renaissance Middle School At The Rand Building
(Math: 48% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
176 North Fullerton Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-5741
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-5741
Gr: 6-8 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #99.
South Orange Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
70 North Ridgewood Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-2772
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 378-2772
Gr: 6-8 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
443 Clifton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Gr: K-8 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
North Star Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Washington Place
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Gr: K-12 | 6,476 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
Grover Cleveland Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
36 Academy Rd
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-9115
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-9115
Gr: 6-8 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1313.
Memorial Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 Ridge Road
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-2646
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-2646
Gr: 5-8 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1414.
John H. Walker Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
325 Franklin Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8869
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8869
Gr: 7-8 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1515.
Maplewood Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7 Burnett St
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7660
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-7660
Gr: 6-8 | 733 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1616.
Henry B. Whitehorne Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 Bloomfield Ave
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6751
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6751
Gr: 5-8 | 668 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1717.
Glenfield Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
25 Maple Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4172
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4172
Gr: 6-8 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1818.
Liberty Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1 Kelly Drive
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 243-8650
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 243-8650
Gr: 7-8 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1919.
East Orange Stem Academy High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
129 Renshaw Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
Gr: 6-12 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Discovery Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
240 Halsey St, 2nd Fl.
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 623-0222
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 623-0222
Gr: 4-8 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2121.
Roosevelt Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
36 Gilbert Pl
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5373
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5373
Gr: 7-8 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2222.
Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 Woodside Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 481-9001
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 481-9001
Gr: K-8 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #2323.
Forest Street Community Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
651 Forest St
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4120
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4120
Gr: PK-7 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2424.
Pride Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
117 Elmwood Ave
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 672-3200
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 672-3200
Gr: 5-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #2525.
Ann Street School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
30 Ann St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4890
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4890
Gr: K-8 | 1,236 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2626.
First Avenue School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
214 First Ave
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5240
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 268-5240
Gr: PK-8 | 1,057 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Bloomfield Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
60 Huck Road
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8620
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8620
Gr: 7-8 | 929 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2828.
Oliver Street School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
86 Oliver St
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4870
Newark, NJ 07105
(973) 465-4870
Gr: PK-8 | 1,042 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2929.
Philip's Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
342 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Gr: PK-8 | 673 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #3030.
Heywood Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
421 Heywood Ave
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4105
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4105
Gr: PK-7 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3131.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
120 Manchester Place
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Gr: PK-8 | 780 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
Wilson Avenue School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19 Wilson Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 465-4910
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 465-4910
Gr: K-8 | 1,033 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3333.
Link Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
23 Pennsyvania Ave
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 642-0529
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 642-0529
Gr: K-8 | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #3434.
University High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
55 Clinton Pl
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Gr: 8-12 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3535.
Ridge Street School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
735 Ridge St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5210
Gr: PK-8 | 597 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Show 59 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 94 total schools)
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Essex County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Legacy Academy Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
75 Morton St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Gr: 6-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Achieve Community Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
534 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Gr: K-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
15 James St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Gr: K-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
43 Alexander St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Gr: 1-8 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
100 Linden Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
90 Parker Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Gr: 9-12 | 1,263 student Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Bloomfield Technical Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
209 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
15 Boylan St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Gr: PK-K | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
103 Bragaw Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Gr: K-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
180 Oraton St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Gr: PK-4 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
28 Burnet St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
321 Bergen St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Gr: 5-8 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Career And Innovation Academy Of Orange (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
123 Cleveland Street
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Gr: 9-12
255 Chancellor Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Gr: K-2 | 141 students Minority enrollment: 99%
36 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: K-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
534 Clinton Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Gr: PK | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
26 Speedway Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Gr: PK | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
229 18th Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
557 Fifteenth Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Gr: PK-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
279 Chancellor Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Gr: 6-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Greater Newark Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
72 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Gr: 5-8 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Independence High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
15 Smalley Place
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students
1064 Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: PK | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Gr: K-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
663 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Gr: 5-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
M.e.t.s. Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
211 Sherman Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Gr: 6-12
823 S 16th St
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
33 Maple Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Gr: K-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
108 South 9th St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Gr: K-8 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Memorial Hall High School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
236 Hoover Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Gr: 7-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Merit Preparatory Charter School Of Newark (Closed 2018)
Charter School
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Gr: 5-10 | 494 students
Millburn Regional Day School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
70 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Gr: PK-12 | 3 students
Show 29 more closed public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 64 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top ranked public middle schools in Essex County, NJ include Millburn Middle School, Science Park High School and The Gray Charter School.
How many public middle schools are located in Essex County?
94 public middle schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public middle schools minority enrollment is 89% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public middle schools average of 68% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Essex County include: Roosevelt Middle School vs. Liberty Middle School, Kipp Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Liberty Middle School vs. Roosevelt Middle School
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