Best Schools in Lakewood, New Jersey
97 schools · 52 Elementary · 1 Middle · 34 High · 10 Other
Choosing a school in Lakewood?
Use this page to compare every school in Lakewood 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.
Lakewood Middle School
Middle · Lakewood Township School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ella G Clarke Elementary School
Elementary · Lakewood Township School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Ocean Academy Charter School
Elementary · Ocean Academy Charter School. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lakewood for 2026 are Lakewood Middle School (8.0/10), Ella G Clarke Elementary School (7.8/10), and Ocean Academy Charter School (7.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 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
97
9 public · 88 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$346,950
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
97
9 public · 88 private
Avg Score
5.3
out of 10
Median Home
$346,950
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Lakewood
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 97). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakewood Middle School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Ella G Clarke Elementary School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Ocean Academy Charter School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Spruce Street Elementary School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Sephardic Bet Yaakov | 7.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Clifton Ave Grade School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Bais Kaila Torah Preparatory High School for Girls | 6.8 / 10 |
| 8 | New Jersey Center for Judaic Stds | 6.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Mikor Hatorah | 6.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Tiferes Chaim | 6.5 / 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
- 5.3/10
- Median household income
- $67,746
- Median home value
- $346,950
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 80%
8% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lakewood compares
New Jersey rank
#319 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.1
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$68k
57% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
92
Education Snapshot
Lakewood, New JerseyLakewood operates 97 schools across just 2 districts, enrolling approximately 39,117 students. The average MySchoolScout composite rating of 5.3/10 across 92 scored schools falls 1.1 points below the New Jersey state average of 6.4/10. The level breakdown is top-heavy on elementary: 52 elementary schools and 34 high schools, with just 1 middle school in between. Charter options are limited to 1 school, so most households choose within the same pair of public districts. Median household income of $65,115 — 45% below the New Jersey state median of $118,015 — places Lakewood in the lower-income tier among New Jersey cities. About 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. With ratings trailing the statewide average by more than a full point and narrow district choice, comparing individual school scores below will give families a more useful read than the city-level composite.
About Schools in Lakewood, New Jersey
Lakewood, New Jersey is home to 97 schools, including 9 public schools and 88 private schools. The city's schools span 52 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 34 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.3 out of 10, schools in Lakewood 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 Lakewood is Lakewood Early Childhood Center with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lakewood is served by 2 school districts: Ocean Academy Charter School, Lakewood Township School District. These districts collectively serve 5,193 students.
Lakewood's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $67,746. The poverty rate in the area is 11.3%.
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
52 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 236 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | 378 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 353 students · 3rd–6th | 7.8 | ||
| 4 | 499 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.6 | ||
| 5 | 249 students · 1st–1st | 7.5 | ||
| 6 | 473 students · 2nd–6th | 6.8 | ||
| 7 | 656 students · 2nd–6th | 6.4 | ||
Private Schools45 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Tehilas Chaya SaraPrivate 318 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 439 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Bais Yaakov of Ocean CityPrivate 63 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 52 elementary schools in Lakewood
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 582 students · 7th–8th | 8.0 |
High Schools
34 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,330 students · 9th–12th | 3.9 | ||
Private Schools33 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 350 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 432 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Mikor HatorahPrivate 55 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Tiferes ChaimPrivate 75 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Yeshiva Chayei OlamPrivate 81 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Cong. Mikor HatorahPrivate 57 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | 184 students · 9th–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | Yeshiva Cheshkas HatorahPrivate 60 students · 10th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | Yeshiva Bais HachinuchPrivate 80 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 34 high schools in Lakewood
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sephardic Bet YaakovPrivate 400 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | New Road SchoolPrivate 56 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
| 3 | 442 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 4 | 270 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 5 | Talmud Torah Zecher YochananPrivate 479 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated |
| 6 | Bnos Esther MalkaPrivate 455 students · Kindergarten–9th | Not Rated |
| 7 | 221 students · Kindergarten–9th | Not Rated |
| 8 | 671 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 9 | Derech Hatorah of LakewoodPrivate 15 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
| 10 | 25 students · Pre-K–11th | Not Rated |
Schools in Lakewood
Lakewood, New Jersey · 97 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$67,746
Median Home Value
$346,950
Median Rent
$1,296/mo
Population
151,265
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Community Profile
Lakewood has a median household income of $67,746. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $346,950, with a median rent of $1,296/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 52
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 34
- Other
- 10
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 Lakewood, New Jersey
How many schools are in Lakewood, New Jersey?
Lakewood has 97 schools, including 9 public and 88 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lakewood is 5.3 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 Lakewood, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Lakewood on MySchoolScout is Lakewood Middle School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lakewood on MySchoolScout is Ella G Clarke Elementary School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Lakewood on MySchoolScout is Lakewood Middle School with a composite score of 8.0/10.
What is the best high school in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Lakewood on MySchoolScout is Bais Kaila Torah Preparatory High School for Girls with a composite score of 6.8/10.
How many school districts serve Lakewood, New Jersey?
Lakewood is served by 2 school districts: Ocean Academy Charter School, Lakewood Township School District.
What is the education level in Lakewood, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Lakewood have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The median household income in Lakewood is approximately $67,746 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lakewood, New Jersey?
Yes, Lakewood has 88 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is Sephardic Bet Yaakov with a score of 7.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lakewood is 13.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lakewood, 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.