Best Schools in Barnegat, New Jersey
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Barnegat?
Use this page to compare every school in Barnegat by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Russell O. Brackman Middle School
Middle · Barnegat Township School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Robert L. Horbelt Elementary School
Middle · Barnegat Township School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary
Other · Barnegat Township School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Barnegat for 2026 are Russell O. Brackman Middle School (6.8/10), Robert L. Horbelt Elementary School (6.0/10), and Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary (4.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$356,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
4.8
out of 10
Median Home
$356,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Barnegat
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russell O. Brackman Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Robert L. Horbelt Elementary School | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Lillian M. Dunfee Elementary | 4.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Cecil S. Collins Elementary | 4.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Barnegat High School | 3.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School | 3.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 4.8/10
- Median household income
- $92,548
- Median home value
- $356,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 89%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Barnegat compares
New Jersey rank
#339 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.6
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$93k
78% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Barnegat, New Jersey
Barnegat, New Jersey is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 4.8 out of 10, schools in Barnegat show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Barnegat is Russell O. Brackman Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Barnegat is served by 1 school district: Barnegat Township School District. These districts collectively serve 3,665 students.
Barnegat's community shows 34% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $92,548. The poverty rate in the area is 7.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 754 students · Kindergarten–2nd | 4.2 |
| 2 | 498 students · 3rd–4th | 3.4 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 509 students · 7th–8th | 6.8 |
| 2 | 488 students · 5th–6th | 6.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 997 students · 9th–12th | 3.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 333 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 4.7 |
Schools in Barnegat
Barnegat, New Jersey · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$92,548
Median Home Value
$356,200
Median Rent
$1,949/mo
Population
25,936
College Educated
34%
Homeownership
89%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Community Profile
Barnegat has a median household income of $92,548. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,200, with a median rent of $1,949/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Barnegat, New Jersey
How many schools are in Barnegat, New Jersey?
Barnegat has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Barnegat is 4.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Barnegat on MySchoolScout is Russell O. Brackman Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Barnegat on MySchoolScout is Cecil S. Collins Elementary with a composite score of 4.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Barnegat on MySchoolScout is Russell O. Brackman Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Barnegat on MySchoolScout is Barnegat High School with a composite score of 3.5/10.
How many school districts serve Barnegat, New Jersey?
Barnegat is served by 1 school district: Barnegat Township School District.
What is the education level in Barnegat, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 34% of adults in Barnegat have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The median household income in Barnegat is approximately $92,548 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Barnegat, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Barnegat is 10.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Barnegat, New Jersey?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.