Very Good
#639 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 26% in state
Black River Middle School
Middle School · Chester Township School District
133 Rt. 513 - North Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#2 of 3
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#98 of 441
In district
#2 of 3
Chester Township School District
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Black River Middle School
Black River Middle School serves 330 students in grades 6-8 in Chester, New Jersey, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranking #224 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools, the school places in the 91st percentile statewide. The school maintains an impressive 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 35 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and smaller class sizes.
Academically, students demonstrate strong performance with 71% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 60% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics across all grade levels. Black River Middle School draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 07930 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $208,750 and 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The low poverty rate of just 3% reflects the economic stability of the surrounding area, with median home values at $738,100.
The school benefits from its location in Morris County's rural setting near Chester, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to the educational and cultural resources of the broader region.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Black River Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Black River Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Black River Middle School — Students at Black River Middle School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.1/10.
How Black River Middle School Compares
See how Black River Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 60% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 71% (2022).
Location
133 Rt. 513 - North Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Black River Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mountain View School (rated 9.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Mendham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eisenhower Middle School (rated 5.5/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Succasunna), a more accessible option. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dickerson Elementary School Chester | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Bragg Elementary School Chester | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| WESTMONT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Mendham | 2.3 mi | — |
| Mountain View Elementary School Flanders | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Kennedy Elementary School Succasunna | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| West Morris Central High School Chester | 3.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Succasunna | 4.2 mi | 4.6 |
| AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Succasunna | 4.3 mi | 7.5 |
| GILL ST BERNARD S SCHOOL Gladstone | 4.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Ironia School Randolph | 4.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Mountain View School Mendham | 3.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Tinc Rd. Elementary School Flanders | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Athletic Training and Physical Therapy Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Roxbury High School Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Mount Olive High School Flanders | 4.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Hilltop School Mendham | 4.1 mi | 9.2 |
| THE WILLOW SCHOOL Gladstone | 5.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ST THERESE SCHOOL Succasunna | 5.5 mi | 4.7 |
| West Morris Mendham High School Mendham | 4.4 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07930 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$237,609
Median Home Value
$758,400
Median Rent
$1,404/mo
Population
8,205
College Educated
69.4%
Homeownership
93.1%
Avg Commute
35.5 min
Poverty Rate
3%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Black River Middle School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School Wharton, NJ | 7.4 |
| Haines Sixth Grade Center Medford, NJ | 7.4 |
| Memorial Junior School Whippany, NJ | 7.4 |
| Old Turnpike School Califon, NJ | 7.4 |
| Byram Intermediate School Stanhope, NJ | 7.5 |
| Gould/Mountain Elementary School N. Caldwell, NJ | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Black River Middle School
What grades does Black River Middle School serve?
Black River Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Black River Middle School?
Black River Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Black River Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Black River Middle School is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Black River Middle School rank in NJ?
Black River Middle School is ranked #639 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Black River Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Black River Middle School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Black River Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black River Middle School has 64.7% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Black River Middle School a charter school?
No, Black River Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Black River Middle School a Title I school?
No, Black River Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black River Middle School?
4.5% of students at Black River Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 4.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Morris County
- Phone
- (908) 879-6363
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester Township School District- District Enrollment
- 1,028
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,380
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.