Below Average
#2144 of 2,466 schools in NJ
John L. Costley Middle School
Middle School · East Orange School District
116 HAMILTON ST, East Orange, NJ 07017
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
320
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,144 of 2,466
In East Orange
#16 of 22
public schools
In district
#15 of 20
East Orange School District
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John L. Costley Middle School
Middle School in East Orange · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sojourner Truth Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Patrick F. Healy Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John L. Costley Middle School
John L. Costley Middle School is a public middle school in East Orange, NJ, part of East Orange School District. John L.
Costley Middle School serves approximately 320 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. John L. Costley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,144 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for John L. Costley Middle School show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.3
- NJ avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at John L. Costley Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John L. Costley Middle School — Students at John L. Costley Middle School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 6.1/10.
How John L. Costley Middle School Compares
See how John L. Costley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
116 HAMILTON ST, East Orange, NJ 07017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John L. Costley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sojourner Truth Middle School (rated 4.5/10), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Patrick F. Healy Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in East Orange, see our East Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,552
Median Home Value
$316,700
Median Rent
$1,346/mo
Population
40,809
College Educated
21.8%
Homeownership
31.3%
Avg Commute
37.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
36.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sojourner Truth Middle School East Orange, NJ | 4.5 |
| Hardyston Township Middle School Hamburg, NJ | 4.4 |
| Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation Orange, NJ | 4.4 |
| Samuel M Ridgway Middle School Edgewater Park, NJ | 4.4 |
| Ezra L. Nolan School Jersey City, NJ | 4.3 |
| Morgan Village Middle School Camden, NJ | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John L. Costley Middle School
What grades does John L. Costley Middle School serve?
John L. Costley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend John L. Costley Middle School?
John L. Costley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 320 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John L. Costley Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at John L. Costley Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John L. Costley Middle School rank in NJ?
John L. Costley Middle School ranks #2,144 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is John L. Costley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John L. Costley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 John L. Costley Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John L. Costley Middle School has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is John L. Costley Middle School a charter school?
No, John L. Costley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John L. Costley Middle School a Title I school?
No, John L. Costley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John L. Costley Middle School?
59.4% of students at John L. Costley 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 320
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.4%
- Phone
- (973) 266-5660
Resources & Links
District
East Orange School District- District Enrollment
- 9,337
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,491
- District Rank
- #15 of 20
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