Average
#1775 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School
Middle School · Keansburg School District
100 PALMER PLACE, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Keansburg
#3 of 4
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#339 of 441
In district
#3 of 4
Keansburg School District
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Joseph R. Bolger Middle School
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is a regular public school located in the suburban town of Keansburg, New Jersey. With an enrollment of 347 students spanning Grades 6 through 8, the school offers a warm and engaging learning environment.
The student-teacher ratio stands at 13.9:1, ensuring that each student receives individualized attention from its 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 reflects areas with room for academic growth. On state assessments, Joseph R.
Bolger Middle School ranks at number 2113 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey, placing it in the 15th percentile overall. In ELA/Reading, 30% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, that figure is 17%. While these numbers indicate areas where the school can focus on improvement, they also highlight opportunities for growth and development.
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is situated in a large suburban area, offering students a supportive community setting with easy access to both urban amenities and green spaces.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School — Students at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Joseph R. Bolger Middle School Compares
See how Joseph R. Bolger Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 23% (2022).
Location
100 PALMER PLACE, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph R. Bolger Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cove Road School (rated 6.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Hazlet), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thorne Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Port Monmouth), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Hazlet Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Hazlet), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Keansburg, see our Keansburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Keansburg High School Keansburg | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Keansburg Early Learning Center Keansburg | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Joseph C. Caruso School Keansburg | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Ocean Avenue Elementary School North Middletown | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Thorne Middle School Port Monmouth | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Harmony Elementary School New Monmouth | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Lillian Drive School Hazlet | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Raritan High School Hazlet | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Monmouth County Vocational Technical High School Hazlet | 1.5 mi | — |
| MATER DEL PREP HIGH SCHOOL Middletown | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Hazlet Middle School Hazlet | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL New Monmouth | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| New Monmouth Elementary School Middletown | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Middletown Village Elementary School Middletown | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Middle Road School Hazlet | 2.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Middletown High School North Middletown | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Memorial School Union Beach | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Cove Road School Hazlet | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Bayview Elementary School Belford | 2.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center Hazlet | 3.2 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07734 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,073
Median Home Value
$310,000
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
Population
13,188
College Educated
21.7%
Homeownership
59.6%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has a median household income of $89,073. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,000, with a median rent of $1,638/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hopatcong Middle School Hopatcong, NJ | 5.3 |
| Riverside Middle School Riverside, NJ | 5.3 |
| Woodruff Middle School Seabrook, NJ | 5.2 |
| Grace Wilday Junior High School Roselle, NJ | 5.4 |
| Great Meadows Regional Middle School Great Meadows, NJ | 5.4 |
| Richard Butler School Butler, NJ | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph R. Bolger Middle School
What grades does Joseph R. Bolger Middle School serve?
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Joseph R. Bolger Middle School?
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph R. Bolger Middle School rank in NJ?
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is ranked #1775 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Joseph R. Bolger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Joseph R. Bolger Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has 17.1% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joseph R. Bolger Middle School a charter school?
No, Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph R. Bolger Middle School a Title I school?
No, Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph R. Bolger Middle School?
48.1% of students at Joseph R. Bolger 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
- Elevated (1,456/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Keansburg). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 347
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Monmouth County
- Phone
- (732) 787-2007
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Keansburg School District- District Enrollment
- 1,565
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,459
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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