Very Good
#458 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 19% in state
Harding Township School
Elementary School · Harding Township School District
34 LEES HILL ROAD PO BOX 248, New Vernon, NJ 07976
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey elementary schools
#311 of 1,496
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Harding Township School
Harding Township School serves 298 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in New Vernon, New Jersey. This public elementary school has earned recognition as one of the state's top performers, ranking 63rd out of 2,475 New Jersey schools and earning an impressive 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.3 to 1 with 41 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for individualized attention and small class sizes.
Academically, students demonstrate strong performance with 82% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 72% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's outstanding 9.5 out of 10 academic score. Located on Lees Hill Road, the school serves a small, affluent community where the median home value reaches $2 million.
The area is characterized by a highly educated population, with 49% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though economic diversity exists with a 23.8% poverty rate in the zip code. Harding Township School operates in a rural setting near town, providing students with a peaceful learning environment that combines small-town charm with academic excellence in Morris County's scenic landscape.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, Harding Township 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.
Located in a rural area, Harding Township School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Harding Township School — Students at Harding Township School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
3.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 19 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.9/10.
How Harding Township School Compares
See how Harding Township School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 82% (2022).
Location
34 LEES HILL ROAD PO BOX 248, New Vernon, NJ 07976
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harding Township School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thomas Jefferson School (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Morristown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Oak Street School (rated 8.4/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Basking Ridge), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HUDSONWAY IMMERSION SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Stirling), with a very similar rating. For more schools in New Vernon, see our New Vernon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MENDHAM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Basking Ridge | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| SOMERSET HILLS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Basking Ridge | 2.5 mi | — |
| VILLA WALSH ACADEMY Morristown | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Hillcrest School Morristown | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson School Morristown | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| ASSUMPTION OF THE BVM SCHOOL Morristown | 3.6 mi | 6.1 |
| DELBARTON SCHOOL Morristown | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| THE PECK SCHOOL Morristown | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Woodland School Convent Station | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Alexander Hamilton Morristown | 4.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Morristown High School Morristown | 4.2 mi | 7.5 |
| ST JAMES SCHOOL Basking Ridge | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Oak Street School Basking Ridge | 3.7 mi | 8.4 |
| CHEDER LUBAVITCH Morristown | 4.4 mi | 5.7 |
| SHEPARD PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Morristown | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Central Middle School Stirling | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Ridge High School Basking Ridge | 4.1 mi | 8.5 |
| LONG HILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Stirling | 4.6 mi | — |
| HUDSONWAY IMMERSION SCHOOL Stirling | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Bernards High School Bernardsville | 3.6 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07976 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$110,985
Median Home Value
$1,375,000
Population
330
College Educated
52%
Homeownership
62.2%
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
53.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harding Township School has a median household income of $110,985. It is a well-educated community where 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,375,000. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alpha Borough School Alpha, NJ | 7.7 |
| Bee Meadow School Whippany, NJ | 7.7 |
| Brighton Avenue School Atlantic City, NJ | 7.7 |
| CEDAR HILL PREP SCHOOL Somerset, NJ | 7.7 |
| Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange, NJ | 7.7 |
| Frank J Smith Elementary East Hanover, NJ | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harding Township School
What grades does Harding Township School serve?
Harding Township School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Harding Township School?
Harding Township School has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Township School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harding Township School is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harding Township School rank in NJ?
Harding Township School is ranked #458 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Harding Township School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harding Township School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Harding Township School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harding Township School has 66.6% math proficiency and 80.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harding Township School a charter school?
No, Harding Township School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harding Township School a Title I school?
No, Harding Township School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harding Township School?
3.7% of students at Harding Township 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 3.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Morris County
- Phone
- (973) 267-6398
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harding Township School District- District Enrollment
- 302
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $43,456
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
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.