Best Schools in Chester, New Jersey
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester 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.
Black River Middle School
Middle · Chester Township School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Bragg Elementary School
Elementary · Chester Township School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Morris Central High School
High · West Morris Regional High 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 Chester for 2026 are Black River Middle School (7.8/10), Bragg Elementary School (7.8/10), and West Morris Central High School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$758,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$758,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black River Middle School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Bragg Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | West Morris Central High School | 6.9 / 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
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $237,609
- Median home value
- $758,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 69%
- Avg commute
- 36 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 93%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
New Jersey rank
#53 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$238k
201% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Chester, New Jersey
Chester, New Jersey is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Chester perform strongly 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 Chester is Black River Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 2 school districts: Chester Township School District, West Morris Regional High School District. These districts collectively serve 3,138 students.
Chester's community shows 69% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $237,609. The poverty rate in the area is 3.0%.
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 | 324 students · 3rd–5th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 370 students · Pre-K–2nd | 6.8 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 330 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,023 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
Schools in Chester
Chester, New Jersey · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$237,609
Median Home Value
$758,400
Median Rent
$1,404/mo
Population
8,205
College Educated
69%
Homeownership
93%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $237,609. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $758,400, with a median rent of $1,404/month. The local poverty rate of 3.0% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
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 Chester, New Jersey
How many schools are in Chester, New Jersey?
Chester has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 7.3 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 Chester, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Black River Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Bragg Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Chester, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Black River Middle School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is West Morris Central High School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, New Jersey?
Chester is served by 2 school districts: Chester Township School District, West Morris Regional High School District.
What is the education level in Chester, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 69% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, New Jersey?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $237,609 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 10.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, 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.