Skip to main content

Very Good

#425 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 17% in state

Clifton T. Barkalow School

Middle School · Freehold Township School District

498 STILLWELLS CORNER ROAD, Freehold, NJ 07728

Enrollment

605

Student-Teacher

8.8:1

Score

7.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#425 of 2,466

In Freehold

#6 of 15

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Freehold Township School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Clifton T. Barkalow 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.

Clifton T. Barkalow School

7.9/10

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

Early Childhood Learning Center

6.1/10

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

West Freehold School

8.7/10

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

About Clifton T. Barkalow School

Clifton T. Barkalow School is a public middle school in Freehold, NJ, part of Freehold Township School District. Clifton T.

Barkalow School serves approximately 605 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 8.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Clifton T. Barkalow School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #425 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Clifton T. Barkalow School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.9 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 8.8:1 students to teachers, Clifton T. Barkalow School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+5.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.1Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.4 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment6.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,703
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

Clifton T. Barkalow School — Students at Clifton T. Barkalow School score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 72.1% (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

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
80%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
80%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
68%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
75%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
74%
2018
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2019
Math
60%
ELA
71%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
43%
ELA
64%
2024
Math
56.5%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
62.2%
ELA
70%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Clifton T. Barkalow School Compares

See how Clifton T. Barkalow School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
83th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
6.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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

498 STILLWELLS CORNER ROAD, Freehold, NJ 07728

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clifton T. Barkalow School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Freehold Intermediate School (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Dwight D. Eisenhower School (rated 6.6/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Freehold, see our Freehold schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Early Childhood Learning Center Freehold 0.1 mi 6.1
West Freehold School Freehold 0.4 mi 8.7
KIDDIE ACADEMY Freehold 0.5 mi
Laura Donovan School Freehold 1.1 mi 8.8
Freehold Intermediate School Freehold 1.3 mi 6.9
Park Avenue Elementary School Freehold 1.3 mi 6.2
Freehold Township High School Freehold Twp 1.6 mi 5.5
Marshall W. Errickson School Freehold 1.7 mi 6.6
Freehold Borough High School Freehold 2.5 mi 5.3
C. Richard Applegate School Freehold 2.9 mi 8.1
Freehold Learning Center Freehold 2.9 mi 4.8
Biotechnology High School Freehold 2.9 mi 8.9
Monmouth County Career Center Freehold 3.0 mi
Lafayette Mills School Manalapan 4.2 mi 8.8
Manalapan High School Englishtown 3.9 mi 5.1
Joseph J Catena School Freehold 3.5 mi 6.1
Dwight D. Eisenhower School Freehold 3.6 mi 6.6
Edith M. Griebling Elementary School Farmingdale 3.8 mi 5.3
Wemrock Brook School Manalapan 4.1 mi 8.5
IVY LEAGUE PRESCHOOL Manalapan 4.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07728 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$107,042

Median Home Value

$490,000

Median Rent

$1,941/mo

Population

56,623

College Educated

46.3%

Homeownership

77.1%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.5%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brookside School Allendale, NJ 7.9
Buzz Aldrin Middle School Upper Montclair, NJ 7.9
Collingswood Middle School Collingswood, NJ 7.9
Lincoln Park Middle School Lincoln Park, NJ 7.9
Manchester Township Middle School Manchester, NJ 7.9
Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School Cliffwood, NJ 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clifton T. Barkalow School

What grades does Clifton T. Barkalow School serve?

Clifton T. Barkalow School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Clifton T. Barkalow School?

Clifton T. Barkalow School has an enrollment of approximately 605 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clifton T. Barkalow School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clifton T. Barkalow School is 8.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clifton T. Barkalow School rank in NJ?

Clifton T. Barkalow School ranks #425 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Clifton T. Barkalow School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clifton T. Barkalow School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Clifton T. Barkalow School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Clifton T. Barkalow School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 72% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Clifton T. Barkalow School a charter school?

No, Clifton T. Barkalow School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Clifton T. Barkalow School a Title I school?

No, Clifton T. Barkalow School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clifton T. Barkalow School?

13.1% of students at Clifton T. Barkalow 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
605
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Monmouth County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

District

Freehold Township School District
District Enrollment
3,461
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,703
District Rank
#4 of 8

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.