Average
#954 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 39% 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
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
713
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Budd Lake
#2 of 3
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#575 of 1,496
In district
#3 of 6
Mount Olive Township School District
Equity
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Chester M. Stephens Elementary School
Chester M. Stephens Elementary School serves 713 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Budd Lake, New Jersey. With 71 full-time teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating and ranking 500th out of 2,475 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile. Students show strong literacy skills with 61% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 55% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. Located at 99 Sunset Drive in Morris County, Chester M.
Stephens Elementary draws from a well-established suburban community where the median household income is $90,120 and median home values reach $386,000. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a committed educational environment, with 43% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 6.1%. The school's substantial enrollment and favorable staffing ratios suggest a well-resourced institution capable of providing comprehensive elementary education.
Chester M. Stephens Elementary operates within Budd Lake's large suburban setting, serving families in this stable Morris County community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Chester M. Stephens Elementary School — Students at Chester M. Stephens Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.6%
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: 5.9/10.
How Chester M. Stephens Elementary School Compares
See how Chester M. Stephens Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 56% (2019) to 55% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 61% (2022).
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. Benedict A. Cucinella School (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Long Valley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandshore Rd. Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Durban Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Hopatcong), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.0 |
| Mount Olive High School Flanders | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount Olive Middle School Budd Lake | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Mountain View Elementary School Flanders | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Sandshore Rd. Elementary School Budd Lake | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Netcong Elementary School Netcong | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| West Morris Central High School Chester | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Benedict A. Cucinella School Long Valley | 3.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Valley Road School Stanhope | 4.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Jefferson Elementary School Succasunna | 3.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Lenape Valley Regional High School Stanhope | 4.5 mi | 7.2 |
| AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Succasunna | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Kennedy Elementary School Succasunna | 3.9 mi | 5.2 |
| THE BEANSTALK ACADEMY Landing | 4.6 mi | — |
| Byram Lakes Elementary School Stanhope | 5.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Byram Intermediate School Stanhope | 5.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Hopatcong Middle School Hopatcong | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Black River Middle School Chester | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Durban Avenue Elementary School Hopatcong | 5.4 mi | 7.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has a median household income of $96,989. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $433,200, with a median rent of $1,483/month. The local poverty rate of 6.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Franklin Elementary School Westfield, NJ | 6.9 |
| Harmony Elementary School New Monmouth, NJ | 6.9 |
| Hopewell Crest Bridgeton, NJ | 6.9 |
| Jersey City Golden Door Charter School Jersey City, NJ | 6.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Edison, NJ | 6.9 |
| Midland School #1 Rochelle Park, NJ | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #954 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Chester M. Stephens Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Chester M. Stephens Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester M. Stephens Elementary School has 49.7% math proficiency and 60.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- Phone
- (973) 691-4002
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mount Olive Township School District- District Enrollment
- 4,824
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,383
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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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