Best Schools in Lakewood, New Jersey
128 schools · 57 Elementary · 4 Middle · 50 High · 17 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 7 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
128
9 public · 119 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$346,950
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
128
9 public · 119 private
Avg Score
5.4
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 (7 rated schools; 128 schools in the directory). "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 | Clifton Ave Grade School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Oak Street Elem School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Lakewood High 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
- 5.4/10
- 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
#309 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-1.0
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$68k
57% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
121
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.
Lakewood Township School District runs 89% of Lakewood's public schools
Lakewood touches 2 districts, but Lakewood Township School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Lakewood Township School District accounts for 8 of 9 public schools (89%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 7 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.4 to 8.0 — the spread is inside Lakewood, not a citywide average.
- Lakewood Township School District8 public · 89%
- Ocean Academy Charter School1 public · 11%
About Schools in Lakewood, New Jersey
Lakewood, New Jersey is home to 128 schools, including 9 public schools and 119 private schools. The city's schools span 57 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 50 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Lakewood show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite 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 8.2/10, 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
57 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 236 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 8.2 | ||
| 2 | 378 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 8.1 | ||
| 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 Schools50 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 341 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Yeshivas Ohr HachinuchPrivate 104 students · Kindergarten–4th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Bais Reuven KamenitzPrivate 524 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 57 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
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 582 students · 7th–8th | 8.0 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Bnos SaraPrivate 35 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | United Talmudical AcademyPrivate 215 students · 1st–8th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | Yeshiva Even YisroelPrivate 56 students · 1st–1st | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
50 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,330 students · 9th–12th | 3.4 | ||
Private Schools49 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Bnos Bais Yaakov High SchoolPrivate 117 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Mesivta Ner MoshePrivate 125 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | 309 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 4 | Yeshiva Bais HachinuchPrivate 70 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 5 | Toras ImechePrivate 205 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 6 | Yeshiva Ohl HatorahPrivate 66 students · 9th–11th | Not Rated | ||
| 7 | Cong. Mikor HatorahPrivate 70 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 8 | Aderes Bais YaakovPrivate 346 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 9 | Mesivta of EatontownPrivate 36 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 50 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
17 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S.c.s.c Inc./mekar HachinuchPrivate 134 students · 2nd–11th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 494 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | 453 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 4 | 237 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated |
| 5 | New Road SchoolPrivate 56 students · UG–UG | Not Rated |
| 6 | Calvary AcademyPrivate 293 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 7 | Bnos SanzPrivate 326 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated |
| 8 | Yeshiva Stolin KarlinPrivate 332 students · Kindergarten–9th | Not Rated |
| 9 | 270 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 10 | Machzikei HadasPrivate 561 students · Pre-K–10th | Not Rated |
Show all 17 other schools in Lakewood
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Lakewood
Lakewood, New Jersey · 128 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
- 57
- Middle
- 4
- High
- 50
- Other
- 17
Resources
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 128 schools, including 9 public and 119 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 5.4 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 Lakewood High School with a composite score of 3.4/10.
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 119 private schools alongside 9 public schools. The top-rated private school is S.c.s.c Inc./mekar Hachinuch with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lakewood, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lakewood is 12.7:1. 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.