Best Schools in Rockaway, New Jersey
9 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Rockaway?
Use this page to compare every school in Rockaway 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.
Katharine D Malone Elementary School
Elementary · Rockaway Township School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Copeland Middle School
Middle · Rockaway Township School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Academy for Performing Arts
High · Morris County Vocational School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Rockaway for 2026 are Katharine D Malone Elementary School (9.0/10), Copeland Middle School (8.4/10), and Academy for Performing Arts (8.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$434,200
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Schools
9
8 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$434,200
home value · ACS
Districts
4
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Rockaway
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 rated schools; 9 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katharine D Malone Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Copeland Middle School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 3 | Academy for Performing Arts | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Stony Brook Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering | 7.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Thomas Jefferson Middle School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Morris Hills High School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Lincoln Elementary School | 3.7 / 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
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $123,828
- Median home value
- $434,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
56% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rockaway compares
New Jersey rank
#69 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$124k
105% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
9
Rockaway's public schools split across 4 districts
No single ISD owns Rockaway. The public campuses divide among 4 districts.
The largest shares: Rockaway Township School District (3), Morris County Vocational School District (2), Rockaway Borough School District (2).
Among 8 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.7 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Rockaway, not a citywide average.
- Rockaway Township School District3 public · 38%
- Morris County Vocational School District2 public · 25%
- Rockaway Borough School District2 public · 25%
- Morris Hills Regional School District1 public · 13%
About Schools in Rockaway, New Jersey
Rockaway, New Jersey gives parents 8 ranked public schools to evaluate, and the numbers lean strongly in families' favor. The city averages 8.1 out of 10 across all ranked schools, and 7 of those 8 — 88% — score 7 or above. That concentration at the high end of the scale defines what parents are working with here: the choice is among strong schools, not between strong and weak ones.
At the elementary level, Stony Brook Elementary School leads the entire city with an 8.9 — the highest-rated school in Rockaway. Lincoln Elementary School is the second option at 8.3, giving elementary-age families two high-performing choices before they even factor in school fit. Both scores sit well above the already-strong city average of 8.1.
The high school options are varied and equally competitive. Morris Hills High School scores 8.7, second overall in the city. The Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering follows at 8.4, drawing students oriented toward technical fields. The Academy for Performing Arts rounds out the tier at 7.9, giving arts-focused students a specialized path without sacrificing school quality. The span from 7.9 to 8.7 across three high schools means parents are choosing based on their child's direction, not trying to identify the best option among uneven alternatives.
For families weighing a move to Rockaway, the data tells a straightforward story. An average of 8.1 with 88% of schools clearing the 7-point mark signals system-wide strength, not a single outlier inflating the numbers. Elementary families should start with Stony Brook. High school families have three programs to evaluate — each rated 7.9 or above — matched to student interest rather than academic triage.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 282 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.0 | ||
| 2 | 382 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | 275 students · Pre-K–3rd | 3.7 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Divine Mercy Academy/diocesePrivate 166 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 856 students · 6th–8th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 278 students · 4th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 144 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 180 students · 9th–12th | 7.7 |
| 3 | 1,141 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
Schools in Rockaway
Rockaway, New Jersey · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$123,828
Median Home Value
$434,200
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Population
22,632
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Community Profile
Rockaway has a median household income of $123,828. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $434,200, with a median rent of $1,604/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
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 Rockaway, New Jersey
How many schools are in Rockaway, New Jersey?
Rockaway has 9 schools, including 8 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rockaway is 7.2 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 Rockaway, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Katharine D Malone Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Katharine D Malone Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Copeland Middle School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best high school in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Rockaway on MySchoolScout is Academy for Performing Arts with a composite score of 8.1/10.
How many school districts serve Rockaway, New Jersey?
Rockaway is served by 4 school districts: Morris County Vocational School District, Morris Hills Regional School District, Rockaway Borough School District, Rockaway Township School District.
What is the education level in Rockaway, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Rockaway have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The median household income in Rockaway is approximately $123,828 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rockaway, New Jersey?
Yes, Rockaway has 1 private school alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Divine Mercy Academy/diocese with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rockaway, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rockaway is 10.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rockaway, 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.