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Excellent

#160 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 6% 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

8.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#160 of 2,466

In district

#1 of 3

Long Hill Township School District

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Central Middle School

8.6/10

Middle School in Stirling · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Long Hill Montessori School

Nearby

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hudsonway Immersion School

7.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Central Middle School

Central Middle School is a public middle school in Stirling, NJ, part of Long Hill Township School District. Central Middle School serves approximately 281 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranks #160 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Central Middle School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts above NJ schools
  • This school 8.6 · Excellent
  • NJ avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+6.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.5 pts
Overall Proficiency71% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,715
Chronic Absenteeism10.7%

Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 64.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 80.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 42 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2013
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
83%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
86%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
86%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
78%
2018
Math
65%
ELA
81%
2019
Math
65%
ELA
81%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
53%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
57.9%
ELA
72.2%
2025
Math
63.1%
ELA
79.1%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How Central Middle School Compares

See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.6/10
94th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Berkeley Hts), with a comparable rating. Another option is Warren Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Warren), a more accessible option. Additionally, Valley View School (rated 7.3/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Watchung), a more accessible option. 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 6.2
Gillette Elementary School Gillette 1.5 mi 7.5
Woodland School Warren 2.0 mi 8.3
Watchung Hills Regional High School Warren 2.1 mi 6.5
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 5.9
Mountain Park School Berkeley Hts 2.5 mi 6.0
Central School Warren 3.4 mi 8.2
Cedar Hill School Basking Ridge 2.7 mi 7.1
Ridge High School Basking Ridge 2.8 mi 6.9
ST JAMES SCHOOL Basking Ridge 2.9 mi 6.0
Valley View School Watchung 3.4 mi 7.3
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Warren 3.9 mi
Columbia Middle School Berkeley Hts 3.0 mi 7.8
SOMERSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Basking Ridge 3.6 mi
Oak Street School Basking Ridge 3.4 mi 9.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Charles DeWolf Middle School Old Tappan, NJ 8.6
Upper School Englewood Cliffs, NJ 8.6
Frank Antonides School West Long Branch, NJ 8.5
Gould/Mountain Elementary School N. Caldwell, NJ 8.7
High Mountain School North Haledon, NJ 8.5
Margaret L Vetter Eatontown, NJ 8.5

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 ranks #160 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 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 Central Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Middle School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.7%

District

Long Hill Township School District
District Enrollment
871
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,715
District Rank
#1 of 3

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