Skip to main content

Below Average

#1998 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Dover Middle School

Middle School · Dover Public School District

302 EAST MCFARLAN STREET, Dover, NJ 07801

Enrollment

483

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dover

#3 of 7

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#373 of 441

In district

#1 of 5

Dover Public School District

About Dover Middle School

Dover Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the heart of Dover, New Jersey. Serving students from seventh to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 483 students and maintains a supportive student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Dover Middle School shows there is room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2025 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey.

Test scores indicate that 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% in Math, highlighting areas where additional focus could benefit student development. Dover Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, offering a community setting that supports both academic growth and social development for its middle schoolers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41%
Math vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,689

Dover Middle School — Students at Dover Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.6%
School
State
33.0%
ELA Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
53.8%

Based on 11 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
19%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
41%
2024
Math
42.1%
ELA
46.2%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Dover Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

Location

302 EAST MCFARLAN STREET, Dover, NJ 07801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dover Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Thomas Jefferson Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Rockaway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Wharton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Copeland Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Rockaway), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
East Dover Elementary School Dover 0.0 mi 3.9
Birchwood Elementary School Dover 0.8 mi 8.2
North Dover Elementary School Dover 0.8 mi 3.6
Dover High School Dover 0.9 mi 4.1
Academy Street Elementary School Dover 1.0 mi 3.2
Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering Rockaway 1.0 mi 7.7
Morris Hills High School Rockaway 1.0 mi 8.8
Dennis B O'Brien Elementary School Dover 1.4 mi 6.9
Fernbrook School Randolph 1.8 mi 6.4
Alfred C. MacKinnon Middle School Wharton 1.5 mi 7.4
Marie V. Duffy Elementary School Wharton 1.5 mi 7.0
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NORTH CAMPUS Wharton 1.7 mi 6.3
Catherine A Dwyer Elementary School Wharton 2.3 mi 7.4
Stony Brook Elementary School Rockaway 2.2 mi 8.9
Lincoln Elementary School Rockaway 2.0 mi 8.0
BRIDGES TO LEARNING Rockaway 2.0 mi
Copeland Middle School Rockaway 2.4 mi 6.6
Thomas Jefferson Middle School Rockaway 2.1 mi 7.5
Academy for Performing Arts Rockaway 2.1 mi 7.6
Morris Knolls High School Denville 2.1 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,053

Median Home Value

$369,400

Median Rent

$1,747/mo

Population

26,725

College Educated

22.1%

Homeownership

48.3%

Avg Commute

26.6 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dover Middle School has a median household income of $78,053. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $369,400, with a median rent of $1,747/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Ralph J. Steinhauer Elementary School Maple Shade, NJ 4.8
Salem Middle School Salem, NJ 4.8
Sgt. Dominick Pilla Middle School Vineland, NJ 4.8
Upper Township Middle School Petersburg, NJ 4.8
Clayton Middle School Clayton, NJ 4.7
Samuel S. Yellin Elementary School Stratford, NJ 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dover Middle School

What grades does Dover Middle School serve?

Dover Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Dover Middle School?

Dover Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 483 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dover Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dover Middle School rank in NJ?

Dover Middle School is ranked #1998 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Dover Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dover Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Dover Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dover Middle School has 35.6% math proficiency and 49.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dover Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Dover Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

53.2% of students at Dover 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,098/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dover). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
483
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Morris County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dover Public School District
District Enrollment
3,590
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,619
District Rank
#1 of 5

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

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.