Skip to main content

Average

#1081 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 44% in state

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School

Elementary School · Mount Olive Township School District

99 SUNSET DRIVE, Budd Lake, NJ 07828

Enrollment

713

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,081 of 2,466

In Budd Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 6

Mount Olive Township School District

Equity

7.2 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School

6.7/10

Elementary School in Budd Lake · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tinc Rd. Elementary School

7.7/10

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

Mount Olive High School

5.7/10

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

About Chester M. Stephens Elementary School

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School is a public elementary school in Budd Lake, NJ, part of Mount Olive Township School District. Chester M.

Stephens Elementary School serves approximately 713 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,081 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Chester M. Stephens Elementary School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 7.8
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+1.27 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)56% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,383
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School — Students at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 66.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 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
71%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
80%
2012
Math
86%
ELA
81%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
61%
2015
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2016
Math
58%
ELA
71%
2017
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
69%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
69%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
50.4%
ELA
59.8%
2025
Math
54.7%
ELA
58.1%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Chester M. Stephens Elementary School Compares

See how Chester M. Stephens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
22%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

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

99 SUNSET DRIVE, Budd Lake, NJ 07828

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chester M. Stephens Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mountain View Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Flanders), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandshore Rd. Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Benedict A. Cucinella School (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Long Valley), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Budd Lake, see our Budd Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Tinc Rd. Elementary School Flanders 0.8 mi 7.7
Mount Olive High School Flanders 0.7 mi 5.7
Mount Olive Middle School Budd Lake 1.4 mi 6.0
Mountain View Elementary School Flanders 2.7 mi 8.8
Sandshore Rd. Elementary School Budd Lake 2.3 mi 8.2
Netcong Elementary School Netcong 3.1 mi 5.8
West Morris Central High School Chester 3.4 mi 6.9
Benedict A. Cucinella School Long Valley 3.0 mi 8.1
Valley Road School Stanhope 4.1 mi 8.0
Jefferson Elementary School Succasunna 3.4 mi 8.1
Lenape Valley Regional High School Stanhope 4.5 mi 5.4
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Succasunna 3.6 mi 7.5
Kennedy Elementary School Succasunna 3.9 mi 4.1
THE BEANSTALK ACADEMY Landing 4.6 mi
Byram Lakes Elementary School Stanhope 5.3 mi 7.0
Byram Intermediate School Stanhope 5.4 mi 6.0
Hopatcong Middle School Hopatcong 5.1 mi 6.3
Black River Middle School Chester 5.2 mi 7.8
Durban Avenue Elementary School Hopatcong 5.4 mi 4.6
ST THERESE SCHOOL Succasunna 4.6 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07828 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,989

Median Home Value

$433,200

Median Rent

$1,483/mo

Population

14,723

College Educated

44.3%

Homeownership

54.4%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

6%

Median Age

37.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander D. Sullivan School Jersey City, NJ 6.7
Berkeley Elementary School Bloomfield, NJ 6.7
Brielle Elementary School Brielle, NJ 6.7
Brooks Crossing Elementary School Monmouth Junction, NJ 6.7
Cherry Hill School River Edge, NJ 6.7
Cicely L. Tyson Community Elementary School East Orange, NJ 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chester M. Stephens Elementary School

What grades does Chester M. Stephens Elementary School serve?

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 713 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chester M. Stephens Elementary School rank in NJ?

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School ranks #1,081 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Chester M. Stephens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Chester M. Stephens Elementary School a charter school?

No, Chester M. Stephens Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chester M. Stephens Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Chester M. Stephens Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?

21.6% of students at Chester M. Stephens Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Morris County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.