Average
#1065 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 43% in state
Central Middle School
Middle School · Long Hill Township School District
90 Central Avenue, Stirling, NJ 07980
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey middle schools
#196 of 441
In district
#3 of 3
Long Hill Township School District
Equity
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Central Middle School
Central Middle School serves 281 students in grades 6-8 in Stirling, New Jersey, offering a solid educational foundation with a favorable 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio among its 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #420 out of 2,475 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile among New Jersey schools. Academically, Central Middle School demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 67% of students achieving proficient or above levels across all grades.
Mathematics shows room for growth, with 53% of students reaching proficiency. The school's overall academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $140,313 and 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a low poverty rate of just 3.4% and median home values of $622,700, the neighborhood reflects strong community investment in education. Central Middle School sits at 90 Central Avenue in this well-established suburban setting, serving families in Morris County's close-knit Stirling community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.2%
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: 5.2/10.
How Central Middle School Compares
See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 81% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
90 Central Avenue, Stirling, NJ 07980
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Columbia Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Berkeley Hts), which scores notably higher. Another option is Valley View School (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Watchung), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Warren Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Warren), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Stirling, see our Stirling schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LONG HILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Stirling | 0.1 mi | — |
| HUDSONWAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Stirling | 0.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Millington Elementary School Millington | 1.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Gillette Elementary School Gillette | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Woodland School Warren | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Watchung Hills Regional High School Warren | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| ALAN E ZIMMER CHABAD PRESCHOOL Basking Ridge | 2.0 mi | — |
| THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT WARREN Warren | 2.5 mi | — |
| Warren Middle School Warren | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Developmental Learning Center Warren Warren | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Mountain Park School Berkeley Hts | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Central School Warren | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Cedar Hill School Basking Ridge | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Ridge High School Basking Ridge | 2.8 mi | 8.5 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Basking Ridge | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Valley View School Watchung | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Warren | 3.9 mi | — |
| Columbia Middle School Berkeley Hts | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| SOMERSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Basking Ridge | 3.6 mi | — |
| Oak Street School Basking Ridge | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07980 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$146,133
Median Home Value
$660,900
Median Rent
$1,662/mo
Population
2,591
College Educated
59.7%
Homeownership
69.1%
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Median Age
36.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Middle School has a median household income of $146,133. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $660,900, with a median rent of $1,662/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Halsted Middle School Newton, NJ | 6.7 |
| Mount Arlington Public School Mt. Arlington, NJ | 6.7 |
| Mullica Township Middle School Elwood, NJ | 6.7 |
| Somerville Middle School Somerville, NJ | 6.7 |
| Allamuchy Township School Allamuchy, NJ | 6.8 |
| Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Tabernacle, NJ | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Middle School
What grades does Central Middle School serve?
Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Middle School rank in NJ?
Central Middle School is ranked #1065 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Central Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle School has 54.8% math proficiency and 72.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Middle School?
8.2% of students at Central 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 281
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Morris County
- Phone
- (908) 647-2311
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Long Hill Township School District- District Enrollment
- 871
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,715
- District Rank
- #3 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
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