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Excellent

#330 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 13% in state

Columbia Middle School

Middle School · Berkeley Heights School District

345 PLAINFIELD AVE, Berkeley Hts, NJ 07922

Enrollment

536

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

8.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Berkeley Hts

#1 of 4

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#49 of 441

In district

#1 of 6

Berkeley Heights School District

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia Middle School

Columbia Middle School serves 536 students in grades 6-8 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, offering an impressive academic environment with a favorable 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio and 55 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition, ranking #102 out of 2,475 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10. Academically, Columbia Middle School demonstrates solid performance with 79% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 66% reach proficiency in mathematics.

The school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement across all grade levels. The school benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 07922 ZIP code area has a median household income of $195,162 and a median home value of $684,600, with an exceptionally low poverty rate of just 1.2%.

This supportive community environment, combined with strong family educational values, contributes to the school's academic success. Columbia Middle School is situated in Berkeley Heights' large suburban setting in Union County, providing students with both the advantages of suburban living and access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of the greater New Jersey region.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Columbia Middle School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79%
Math vs. State Avg+24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.4 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,517

Columbia Middle School — Students at Columbia Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

2.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.3%
School
State
38.6%
ELA Proficiency 77.1%
School
State
53.7%

Based on 12 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
70%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
79%
2024
Math
67.9%
ELA
76.4%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Columbia Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.0/10
87th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

345 PLAINFIELD AVE, Berkeley Hts, NJ 07922

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Valley View School (rated 7.5/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Watchung), with a comparable rating. Additionally, New Providence Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby New Providence), a more accessible option. For more schools in Berkeley Hts, see our Berkeley Hts schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center Berkeley Heights 0.5 mi 7.2
Thomas P. Hughes School Berkeley Hts 0.6 mi 7.2
FLEXSCHOOL Berkeley Heights 0.7 mi 6.9
FLEX SCHOOL Berkeley Heights 0.7 mi 6.9
Mountain Park School Berkeley Hts 0.8 mi 6.2
William Woodruff School Berkeley Hts 0.9 mi 3.3
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF BERKELEY HEIGHTS Berkeley Heights 1.0 mi
Bayberry School Watchung 1.9 mi 5.2
Allen W. Roberts School New Providence 1.7 mi 7.8
Gillette Elementary School Gillette 1.6 mi 7.1
SUMMIT SPEECH SCHOOL New Providence 2.1 mi
New Providence High School New Providence 2.4 mi 7.1
New Providence Middle School New Providence 2.4 mi 6.2
Watchung Hills Regional High School Warren 2.5 mi 8.5
Valley View School Watchung 2.8 mi 7.5
Woodland School Warren 2.5 mi 6.3
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT WARREN Warren 2.8 mi
East End School North Plainfield 3.3 mi 5.1
Dewitt D. Barlow Elementary School Plainfield 3.5 mi 4.8
Stony Brook School North Plainfield 3.6 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07922 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$179,006

Median Home Value

$697,000

Median Rent

$1,986/mo

Population

11,971

College Educated

73%

Homeownership

95.9%

Avg Commute

36.1 min

Poverty Rate

2.2%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Middle School has a median household income of $179,006. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $697,000, with a median rent of $1,986/month. The local poverty rate of 2.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clinton Township Middle School Clinton, NJ 8.0
George Washington Middle School Ridgewood, NJ 8.0
Benjamin Franklin Middle School Ridgewood, NJ 8.1
Emil A. Cavallini Middle School Upper Saddle River, NJ 7.9
Memorial Middle School Fair Lawn, NJ 8.1
Montgomery Lower Middle School Skillman, NJ 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Middle School

What grades does Columbia Middle School serve?

Columbia Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Columbia Middle School?

Columbia Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 536 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Middle School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Middle School rank in NJ?

Columbia Middle School is ranked #330 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Columbia Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Columbia Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Middle School has 64.3% math proficiency and 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia Middle School a charter school?

No, Columbia Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia Middle School a Title I school?

No, Columbia Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Middle School?

2.1% of students at Columbia 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
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
2.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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