Average
#1062 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 43% in state
Halsted Middle School
Middle School · Newton Public School District
59 HALSTED STREET, Newton, NJ 07860
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
296
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#4 of 8
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#195 of 441
In district
#1 of 3
Newton Public School District
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Halsted Middle School
Halsted Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Newton, New Jersey, situated on the fringe of an urban area. The school serves students from fifth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 296 students with a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1. Halsted Middle School aims to provide a supportive educational environment, focusing on both academic and personal development.
With 35 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the students, the school offers individualized attention. Halsted Middle School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 41st percentile among New Jersey schools. The school’s performance in state assessments shows areas with room for improvement: 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 25% are proficient or above in math; no students were found to be proficient in science.
Halsted Middle School is situated in a town setting that fosters community engagement and support. The school's location offers a blend of rural and urban influences, providing students with diverse experiences beyond the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Halsted Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Halsted 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
Halsted Middle School — Students at Halsted Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
45.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 16 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: 8.0/10.
How Halsted Middle School Compares
See how Halsted Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 19% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 39% (2022).
Location
59 HALSTED STREET, Newton, NJ 07860
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Halsted Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Long Pond School (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, POPE JOHN XXIII MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Sparta), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAKELAND ANDOVER SCHOOL Newton | 0.2 mi | — |
| Merriam Avenue School Newton | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Newton High School Newton | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Florence M. Burd Newton | 2.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Long Pond School Newton | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Kittatinny Regional High School Newton | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Marian E. McKeown Elementary School Newton | 3.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Fredon Township School Newton | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Alpine Elementary School Sparta | 4.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Green Hills School Greendell | 5.4 mi | 7.3 |
| BROADSTEP ACADEMY Sparta | 4.5 mi | — |
| POPE JOHN XXIII HIGH SCHOOL Sparta | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| POPE JOHN XXIII MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparta | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Northern Hills Academy Sparta | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Frankford Township School Branchville | 6.0 mi | 5.0 |
| REV GEORGE A BROWN SCHOOL Sparta | 4.6 mi | 5.8 |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sparta | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Sussex County Technical School Sparta | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| TRANQUILITY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Andover | 7.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,113
Median Home Value
$336,600
Median Rent
$1,437/mo
Population
26,521
College Educated
40.2%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
31.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
46.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Halsted Middle School has a median household income of $104,113. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,600, with a median rent of $1,437/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Middle School Stirling, NJ | 6.7 |
| Mount Arlington Public School Mt. Arlington, NJ | 6.7 |
| Mullica Township Middle School Elwood, NJ | 6.7 |
| Somerville Middle School Somerville, NJ | 6.7 |
| Allamuchy Township School Allamuchy, NJ | 6.8 |
| Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Tabernacle, NJ | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Halsted Middle School
What grades does Halsted Middle School serve?
Halsted Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Halsted Middle School?
Halsted Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 296 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Halsted Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Halsted Middle School is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Halsted Middle School rank in NJ?
Halsted Middle School is ranked #1062 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Halsted Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Halsted Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Halsted Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Halsted Middle School has 25.0% math proficiency and 47.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Halsted Middle School a charter school?
No, Halsted Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Halsted Middle School a Title I school?
No, Halsted Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Halsted Middle School?
45.6% of students at Halsted 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (890/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 296
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 45.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Sussex County
- Phone
- (973) 383-7440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton Public School District- District Enrollment
- 1,622
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,403
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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