Very Good
#457 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Top 19% 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
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
9.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#457 of 2,466
In Chester
#1 of 4
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Chester Township School District
School environment
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Black River Middle School
Middle School in Chester · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Dickerson Elementary School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bragg Elementary School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Black River Middle School
Black River Middle School is a public middle school in Chester, NJ, part of Chester Township School District. Black River Middle School serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Black River Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #457 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for Black River Middle School show 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- NJ avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
At 9.4:1 students to teachers, Black River Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Black River Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Black River Middle School — Students at Black River Middle School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
4.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 42 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Black River Middle School Compares
See how Black River Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.9/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Mendham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eisenhower Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Succasunna), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.8 |
| Kennedy Elementary School Succasunna | 3.5 mi | 4.1 |
| West Morris Central High School Chester | 3.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Succasunna | 4.2 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 7.3 |
| Mountain View School Mendham | 3.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Tinc Rd. Elementary School Flanders | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Athletic Training and Physical Therapy Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Roxbury High School Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Eisenhower Middle School Succasunna | 4.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Mount Olive High School Flanders | 4.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Hilltop School Mendham | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alfred S. Faust Middle School East Rutherford, NJ | 7.8 |
| Belhaven Middle School Linwood, NJ | 7.8 |
| Indian Mills Memorial School Shamong, NJ | 7.8 |
| Little Falls Township Public School # 1 Little Falls, NJ | 7.8 |
| Veterans Middle School North Arlington, NJ | 7.8 |
| Hazlet Middle School Hazlet, NJ | 7.7 |
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 ranks #457 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Black River Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Black River Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Black River Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Black River Middle School has 72% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.8%
- Phone
- (908) 879-6363
Resources & Links
District
Chester Township School District- District Enrollment
- 1,028
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,380
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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