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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Math vs. State Avg+24.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+38.1 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+14.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$38,491

Harding Township School — Students at Harding Township School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

3.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 66.6%
School
State
38.0%
ELA Proficiency 80.3%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 19 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
77%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2024
Math
66.5%
ELA
81.9%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.7/10
81th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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