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#1267 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Halsted Middle School

Middle School · Newton Public School District

59 HALSTED STREET, Newton, NJ 07860

Enrollment

296

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,267 of 2,466

In Newton

#5 of 9

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Newton Public School District

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Halsted Middle School

6.4/10

Middle School in Newton · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lakeland Andover School

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Merriam Avenue School

3.6/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Halsted Middle School

Halsted Middle School is a public middle school in Newton, NJ, part of Newton Public School District. Halsted Middle School serves approximately 296 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 8.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Halsted Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,267 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Halsted Middle School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 8.5:1 students to teachers, Halsted Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+3.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,403
Chronic Absenteeism27.7%

Halsted Middle School — Students at Halsted Middle School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 53.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 47 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
19%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
60%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
60%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
30.7%
ELA
49.1%
2025
Math
34.3%
ELA
52%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Halsted Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
49th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.1/10, 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), with a comparable rating. 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 3.6
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 5.4
Long Pond School Newton 2.7 mi 9.1
Kittatinny Regional High School Newton 3.9 mi 7.0
Marian E. McKeown Elementary School Newton 3.9 mi 8.7
Fredon Township School Newton 3.7 mi 6.0
Alpine Elementary School Sparta 4.4 mi 7.3
Green Hills School Greendell 5.4 mi 5.2
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 5.9
Frankford Township School Branchville 6.0 mi 7.9
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 6.1
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School Jamesburg, NJ 6.4
Lopatcong Township Middle School Phillipsburg, NJ 6.4
Ridgedale Middle School Florham Park, NJ 6.4
Ralph J. Steinhauer Elementary School Maple Shade, NJ 6.5
EASTERN CHRISTIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Wyckoff, NJ 6.3
Jordan Road Elementary School Somers Point, NJ 6.6

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 ranks #1,267 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Halsted Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Halsted Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Halsted Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Halsted Middle School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
80 Very Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.7%

District

Newton Public School District
District Enrollment
1,622
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,403
District Rank
#1 of 3

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