Below Average
#2074 of 2,463 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In East Orange
#16 of 22
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#388 of 441
In district
#14 of 20
East Orange School District
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About John L. Costley Middle School
John L. Costley Middle School is a regular public school serving students in grades six through eight, located at 116 Hamilton Street in East Orange, New Jersey. With an enrollment of 320 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student.
The dedicated team of 25 full-time equivalent teachers works closely with students during this crucial middle-school phase. Academically, John L. Costley Middle School is ranked in the lower percentile among New Jersey schools, reflecting a need for improvement in academic performance as indicated by test scores and proficiency rates.
However, there is room for growth and development in these areas. The school continues to focus on supporting its students and enhancing their educational experience. Located in a large suburban area, John L.
Costley Middle School benefits from the community's resources and support while providing a nurturing environment for young adolescents as they navigate middle school challenges.
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 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 4.5/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 7% (2019) to 2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 14% (2022).
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 3.6/10, 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding John L. Costley Middle School has a median household income of $61,552. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $316,700, with a median rent of $1,346/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hazlet Middle School Hazlet, NJ | 4.6 |
| Highland Park Middle School Highland Park, NJ | 4.6 |
| Johnstone Elementary School Vineland, NJ | 4.6 |
| Samuel M Ridgway Middle School Edgewater Park, NJ | 4.6 |
| Cresskill Middle School Cresskill, NJ | 4.5 |
| Logan Middle School Logan Township, NJ | 4.5 |
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 is ranked #2074 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is John L. Costley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
John L. Costley Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 John L. Costley Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, John L. Costley Middle School has 4.8% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,446/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Orange). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (973) 266-5660
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
East Orange School District- District Enrollment
- 9,337
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,491
- District Rank
- #14 of 20
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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