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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,375

Black River Middle School — Students at Black River Middle School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

4.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.7%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
53.7%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
70%
ELA
78%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
66.2%
ELA
72%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
74th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
5%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (582/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chester). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chester Township School District
District Enrollment
1,028
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,380
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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