Very Good
#134 of 535 private schools in NJ
Top 25% of private schools
Garden Academy
School
627 MOUNT PLEASANT AVE, West Orange, NJ 07052
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NJ statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 11th
Enrollment
30
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 11th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In West Orange
#3 of 5
public schools
New Jersey schools
#48 of 128
About Garden Academy
Garden Academy is a regular public school located in West Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 11th grade, the school has a small but tight-knit community with just 30 enrolled students and a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, ensuring individualized attention. With six full-time equivalent teachers, Garden Academy offers a nurturing environment focused on each child's unique needs.
While academic performance data is not available, the MySchoolScout rating reflects that there may be room for growth in certain areas. The school’s state ranking at #231 out of 535 schools indicates it has much potential to improve and excel further. Garden Academy is situated in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to local amenities and resources while maintaining the supportive atmosphere characteristic of smaller institutions.
Garden Academy thrives within its welcoming community setting, fostering an environment where every student can feel seen, supported, and encouraged to grow both academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 30 students, Garden Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Garden Academy 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.
As a private school, Garden Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $152,069
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $152,591
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.00x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 100%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $3.1M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 30 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Garden Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in West Orange, NJ
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Garden Academy (this school) | 7.1 |
| Mount Pleasant Elementary School | 8.0 |
| Liberty Middle School | 8.3 |
| West Orange High School | 7.9 |
| Betty Maddalena Early Learning Center | 7.6 |
| West Orange Early Childhood Learning Center | — |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NJ.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in NJ
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
627 MOUNT PLEASANT AVE, West Orange, NJ 07052
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garden Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Essex Fells Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Essex Fells), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gregory Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harrison Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Livingston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Orange, see our West Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07052 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$131,456
Median Home Value
$527,200
Median Rent
$1,791/mo
Population
48,323
College Educated
53%
Homeownership
70.2%
Avg Commute
36.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garden Academy has a median household income of $131,456. It is a well-educated community where 53% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $527,200, with a median rent of $1,791/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| ALPINE LEARNING GROUP Paramus, NJ | 7.0 |
| REED ACADEMY Oakland, NJ | 7.0 |
| EPIC SCHOOL Paramus Borough, NJ | 7.2 |
| DAVID GREGORY SCHOOL Paramus, NJ | 6.9 |
| COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Passaic, NJ | 6.8 |
| THE GRAMON SCHOOL Fairfield, NJ | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garden Academy
What grades does Garden Academy serve?
Garden Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 11th.
How many students attend Garden Academy?
Garden Academy has an enrollment of approximately 30 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garden Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Garden Academy is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Garden Academy rank in NJ?
Garden Academy is ranked #134 out of 535 private schools in NJ.
What is Garden Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Garden Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is Garden Academy a private school?
Yes, Garden Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Garden Academy a religious school?
No, Garden Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 11th
- Enrollment
- 30
- Gender Split
- 77% M / 23% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 214 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- ESSEX
- Phone
- (973) 731-2030
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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