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
Enrollment
536
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Columbia Middle School — Students at Columbia Middle School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
2.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Columbia Middle School Compares
See how Columbia Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 66% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 79% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (908) 464-1600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Berkeley Heights School District- District Enrollment
- 2,441
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,242
- District Rank
- #1 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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