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Needs Improvement

#2420 of 2,466 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

3.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,420 of 2,466

In Keansburg

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Keansburg School District

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Joseph R. Bolger Middle School

3.3/10

Middle School in Keansburg · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Keansburg High School

5.1/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Keansburg Early Learning Center

5.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Joseph R. Bolger Middle School

Joseph R. Bolger Middle School is a public middle school in Keansburg, NJ, part of Keansburg School District. Joseph R.

Bolger Middle School serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,420 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Joseph R. Bolger Middle School show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.6 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,459
Chronic Absenteeism31.4%

Joseph R. Bolger Middle School — Students at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 42 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
51%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
43%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
45%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
19%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
20%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
20%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
13%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
20.9%
ELA
29%
2025
Math
16.9%
ELA
27.6%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How Joseph R. Bolger Middle School Compares

See how Joseph R. Bolger Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Thorne Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Port Monmouth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hazlet Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Hazlet), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cove Road School (rated 5.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Hazlet), which scores notably higher. 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 5.1
Keansburg Early Learning Center Keansburg 0.3 mi 5.8
Joseph C. Caruso School Keansburg 0.6 mi 5.3
Ocean Avenue Elementary School North Middletown 0.6 mi 4.7
Thorne Middle School Port Monmouth 1.2 mi 8.0
Harmony Elementary School New Monmouth 1.5 mi 8.5
Lillian Drive School Hazlet 1.2 mi 3.7
Raritan High School Hazlet 1.4 mi 5.4
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 7.7
ST MARY SCHOOL New Monmouth 2.1 mi 5.3
New Monmouth Elementary School Middletown 2.3 mi 5.3
Middletown Village Elementary School Middletown 2.8 mi 5.5
Middle Road School Hazlet 2.2 mi 8.6
Middletown High School North Middletown 2.9 mi 7.3
Memorial School Union Beach 2.4 mi 7.2
Cove Road School Hazlet 2.4 mi 5.4
Bayview Elementary School Belford 2.8 mi 8.2
Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center Hazlet 3.2 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Woodruff Middle School Seabrook, NJ 3.2
Pride Academy Charter School East Orange, NJ 3.4
Arthur J. Holland Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.5
Patrick F. Healy Middle School East Orange, NJ 3.7
Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.8
New Egypt Middle School New Egypt, NJ 4.1

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 ranks #2,420 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Joseph R. Bolger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Joseph R. Bolger Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph R. Bolger Middle School has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.4%

District

Keansburg School District
District Enrollment
1,565
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$26,459
District Rank
#4 of 4

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