For the 2026-27 school year, there are 114 public schools serving 65,938 students in Ocean County, NJ (there are 131 private schools, serving 35,754 private students). 65% of all K-12 students in Ocean County, NJ are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
The top-ranked public schools in Ocean County, NJ are Marine Academy Of Technology And Environmental Science, Island Heights Elementary School and Memorial Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ocean County, NJ public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the New Jersey public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 49% statewide average). Schools in Ocean County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public schools.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Ocean County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Marine Academy Of Technology And Environmental Science
Vocational School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
195 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Gr: 9-12 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Island Heights Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 Summit Ave
Island Heights, NJ 08732
(732) 929-1222
Island Heights, NJ 08732
(732) 929-1222
Gr: PK-6 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Memorial Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
808 Laura Herbert Dr
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
G. Harold Antrim Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
401 Niblick Street
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 899-3737
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 899-3737
Gr: PK-8 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Bay Head Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
145 Grove Street
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 892-0668
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 892-0668
Gr: K-8 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #66.
Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2000 Riviera Parkway
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 706 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Dr. Gerald H. Woehr Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
44 N Main St
New Egypt, NJ 08533
(609) 758-6800
New Egypt, NJ 08533
(609) 758-6800
Gr: 1-6 | 490 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #88.
North Dover Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1759 New Hampshire Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5860
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5860
Gr: PK-5 | 384 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #99.
Beach Haven School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
700 North Beach Ave.
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 492-7411
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 492-7411
Gr: PK-6 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1010.
Lanoka Harbor Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
281 Manchester Ave
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
(609) 971-2090
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
(609) 971-2090
Gr: 1-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1111.
Ocean Road Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1210 Benedict Street
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Cedar Creek Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
220 Western Blvd
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
(609) 971-5850
Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
(609) 971-5850
Gr: 1-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1313.
Mckinley Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1000 Mckinley Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-5700
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-5700
Gr: 3-4 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1414.
Warren H. Wolf Early Childhood Development Center
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
224 Chambers Bridge Rd
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Gr: PK | 359 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
Howard C. Johnson Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1021 Larsen Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4640
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4640
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1616.
Elms Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
780 Patterson Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4680
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4680
Gr: PK-5 | 705 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1717.
Stafford Intermediate School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Mckinley Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-5700
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-5700
Gr: 5-6 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1818.
Herbertsville Early Childhood Development Center
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2282 Lanes Mill Rd
Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 785-3000
Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 785-3000
Gr: PK | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1919.
Lavallette Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
105 Brooklyn Ave.
Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7722
Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7722
Gr: PK-8 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2020.
Carl W. Goetz Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
835 Patterson Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4610
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4610
Gr: 6-8 | 978 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2121.
Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Bengal Blvd
Barnegat, NJ 08005
(609) 660-8900
Barnegat, NJ 08005
(609) 660-8900
Gr: 3-4 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2222.
New Egypt High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
117 Evergreen Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
(609) 758-6800
New Egypt, NJ 08533
(609) 758-6800
Gr: 7-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2323.
Point Pleasant Borough High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
830 Laura Herbert Dr
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Gr: 9-12 | 831 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2424.
Long Beach Island Grade School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 West 20th Street
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 494-8851
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
(609) 494-8851
Gr: 3-6 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2525.
Hooper Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1517 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5850
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5850
Gr: K-5 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2626.
Whiting Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
412 Manchester Blvd
Manchester Township, NJ 08759
(732) 350-4994
Manchester Township, NJ 08759
(732) 350-4994
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Forked River Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
110 Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 971-2080
Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 971-2080
Gr: 1-5 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Washington Street Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 West Earl Court
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5910
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5910
Gr: K-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2929.
Cedar Grove Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
179 Cedar Grove Road
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5830
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5830
Gr: PK-5 | 931 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3030.
Southern Regional Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
75 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 597-9481
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 597-9481
Gr: 7-8 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #3131.
Manchester Township Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 N Colonial Drive
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 323-9600
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 323-9600
Gr: PK-5 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #3232.
Silver Bay Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 Silver Bay Road
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5880
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5880
Gr: PK-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3333.
Lake Riviera Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
171 Beaverson Boulevard
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3434.
Midstreams Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 Midstreams Rd
Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 785-3000
Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 785-3000
Gr: K-5 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3535.
Drum Point Road Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
41 Drum Point Rd
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Gr: K-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Show 79 more public schools in Ocean County, NJ (out of 114 total schools)
Loading...
Ocean County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
35 South Hope Chapel Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4701
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4701
Gr: 6-8 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
25 Birdsall Street
Barnegat, NJ 08005
(609) 698-5818
Barnegat, NJ 08005
(609) 698-5818
Gr: K-5 | 138 students Minority enrollment: 12%
Enhancement Technical Prg Lake High School (Closed 2012)
Vocational School
Naes
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 657-8198
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 657-8198
Gr: 12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Merdian Acad-lakewood (Closed 2010)
Special Education School
150 Oberlin Avenue North
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 905-1228
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 905-1228
Gr: Inquire with school | 34 students Minority enrollment: 53%
Middle School U At New Lisbon (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
M S U New Lisbon, Developmenta
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-4180
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-4180
Ocean County Juv Det Center (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
165 Sunset Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08754
(732) 341-1365
Toms River, NJ 08754
(732) 341-1365
Gr: 10-12 | 12 students Minority enrollment: 67%
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Lakehurst Center (Closed 2018)
Vocational School
Hangar One, Joint Base Mcguire
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 286-5678
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 286-5678
Gr: 11-12
Ocean Trans Ed Center (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1141 Old Freehold Rd
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-4180
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-4180
Central And Fourth Aves
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
(732) 793-0177
Seaside Park, NJ 08752
(732) 793-0177
Gr: PK-6
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Ocean County, NJ?
The top-ranked public schools in Ocean County, NJ include Marine Academy Of Technology And Environmental Science, Island Heights Elementary School and Memorial Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Ocean County?
117 public schools are located in Ocean County.
What percentage of students in Ocean County go to public school?
65% of all K-12 students in Ocean County are educated in public schools (compared to the NJ state average of 86%).
What is the racial composition of students in Ocean County?
Ocean County public schools minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Ocean County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Ocean County include: Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School vs. Ocean Road Elementary School, Jackson Liberty High School vs. Jackson Memorial High School, Ronald L. Meinders Primary Learning Center vs. Eagleswood Elementary School
Recent Articles
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.
