Very Good
#893 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 36% in state
Buzz Aldrin Middle School
Middle School · Montclair Public School District
173 BELLEVUE AVE, Upper Montclair, NJ 07042
Enrollment
607
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
607
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Upper Montclair
#3 of 3
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#158 of 441
In district
#11 of 11
Montclair Public School District
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Buzz Aldrin Middle School
Buzz Aldrin Middle School serves 607 students in grades 6-8 in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio supported by 60 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #480 out of 2,475 schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among New Jersey middle schools. Academically, Buzz Aldrin Middle School demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics shows room for growth, with 44% of students meeting proficiency standards, presenting opportunities for continued academic development and support. The school benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $130,329. With a low poverty rate of just 7.1%, the surrounding neighborhood provides a stable environment that typically supports educational achievement.
Located on Bellevue Avenue in this large suburban setting of Essex County, Buzz Aldrin Middle School sits within a well-established community where the median home value of $673,900 reflects the area's desirability and commitment to quality schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buzz Aldrin Middle School — Students at Buzz Aldrin Middle School score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.5%
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
↓ 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: 5.6/10.
How Buzz Aldrin Middle School Compares
See how Buzz Aldrin Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 66% (2022).
Location
173 BELLEVUE AVE, Upper Montclair, NJ 07042
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buzz Aldrin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Montclair), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bloomfield Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Bloomfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Memorial Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Cedar Grove), a more accessible option. For more schools in Upper Montclair, see our Upper Montclair schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST CASSIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Upper Montclair | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| LACORDAIRE ACADEMY Upper Montclair | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Northeast Elementary School Upper Montclair | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Watchung Elementary School Montclair | 0.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Bradford Elementary School Upper Montclair | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Edgemont Elementary School Montclair | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| LOOKING GLASS CHILDREN'S CENTER Bloomfield | 0.9 mi | — |
| THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY Montclair | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Montclair High School Montclair | 1.3 mi | 7.2 |
| MONTCLAIR COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Montclair | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Memorial Middle School Cedar Grove | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building Montclair | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Forest Avenue School Glen Ridge | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Brookdale Elementary School Bloomfield | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Cedar Grove High School Cedar Grove | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| RAINBOW MONTESSORI INC Bloomfield | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST CATHERINE OF SIENA SCHOOL Cedar Grove | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| School #16 Clifton | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| CLIFTON CHEDER, INC. Clifton | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07042 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$127,083
Median Home Value
$733,100
Median Rent
$2,017/mo
Population
27,173
College Educated
67.1%
Homeownership
50.3%
Avg Commute
33.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buzz Aldrin Middle School has a median household income of $127,083. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $733,100, with a median rent of $2,017/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academy I Jersey City, NJ | 7.0 |
| Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell, NJ | 7.0 |
| Edgar Middle School Metuchen, NJ | 7.0 |
| Fieldstone Middle School Montvale, NJ | 7.0 |
| Leonia Middle School Leonia, NJ | 7.0 |
| Ramapo Ridge Mahwah, NJ | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buzz Aldrin Middle School
What grades does Buzz Aldrin Middle School serve?
Buzz Aldrin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Buzz Aldrin Middle School?
Buzz Aldrin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 607 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buzz Aldrin Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Buzz Aldrin Middle School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buzz Aldrin Middle School rank in NJ?
Buzz Aldrin Middle School is ranked #893 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Buzz Aldrin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Buzz Aldrin Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Buzz Aldrin Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buzz Aldrin Middle School has 43.8% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buzz Aldrin Middle School a charter school?
No, Buzz Aldrin Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buzz Aldrin Middle School a Title I school?
No, Buzz Aldrin Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buzz Aldrin Middle School?
13.5% of students at Buzz Aldrin 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 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 607
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 509-4220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montclair Public School District- District Enrollment
- 6,192
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,943
- District Rank
- #11 of 11
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
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