Best Schools in Pennington, New Jersey
11 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 4 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Pennington?
Use this page to compare every school in Pennington 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.
Toll Gate Grammar School
Elementary · Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Timberlane Middle School
Middle · Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Hopewell Valley Central High School
High · Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pennington for 2026 are Toll Gate Grammar School (8.6/10), Timberlane Middle School (8.6/10), and Hopewell Valley Central High School (7.0/10), 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
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$573,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
6 public · 5 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$573,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pennington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 rated schools; 11 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toll Gate Grammar School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Timberlane Middle School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Hopewell Valley Central High School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Stony Brook Elementary School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Mercer County Technical School Stem Academy | 5.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy | 3.6 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $180,491
- Median home value
- $573,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 72%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 86%
67% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pennington compares
New Jersey rank
#99 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$180k
153% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
9
Hopewell Valley Regional School District runs 67% of Pennington's public schools
Pennington touches 2 districts, but Hopewell Valley Regional School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Hopewell Valley Regional School District accounts for 4 of 6 public schools (67%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 2.
Among 6 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.6 to 8.6 — the spread is inside Pennington, not a citywide average.
- Hopewell Valley Regional School District4 public · 67%
- Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County2 public · 33%
About Schools in Pennington, New Jersey
Pennington, New Jersey is home to 11 schools, including 6 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 4 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Pennington 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 Pennington is Toll Gate Grammar School with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pennington is served by 2 school districts: Hopewell Valley Regional School District, Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County. These districts collectively serve 3,797 students.
Pennington's community shows 72% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $180,491. The poverty rate in the area is 3.6%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 408 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pennington Montessori SchoolPrivate 5 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 773 students · 6th–8th | 8.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Laurel School of PrincetonPrivate 20 students · 3rd–7th | Not Rated | ||
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,080 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | 125 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 3 | 107 students · 9th–12th | 3.6 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | The Pennington SchoolPrivate 537 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Newgrange SchoolPrivate 83 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Cambridge SchoolPrivate 113 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Pennington
Pennington, New Jersey · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$180,491
Median Home Value
$573,100
Median Rent
$2,106/mo
Population
13,174
College Educated
72%
Homeownership
86%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Community Profile
Pennington has a median household income of $180,491. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $573,100, with a median rent of $2,106/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% 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
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 4
- Other
- 2
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 Pennington, New Jersey
How many schools are in Pennington, New Jersey?
Pennington has 11 schools, including 6 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pennington, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pennington is 7.0 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 Pennington, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Pennington on MySchoolScout is Toll Gate Grammar School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pennington, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pennington on MySchoolScout is Toll Gate Grammar School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Pennington, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Pennington on MySchoolScout is Timberlane Middle School with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best high school in Pennington, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Pennington on MySchoolScout is Hopewell Valley Central High School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
How many school districts serve Pennington, New Jersey?
Pennington is served by 2 school districts: Hopewell Valley Regional School District, Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County.
What is the education level in Pennington, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 72% of adults in Pennington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pennington, New Jersey?
The median household income in Pennington is approximately $180,491 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pennington, New Jersey?
Yes, Pennington has 5 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Newgrange School with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pennington, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pennington is 8.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pennington, 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.
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.