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Below Average

#2135 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Lacey Township Middle School

Middle School · Lacey Township School District

660 DENTON AVENUE, Forked River, NJ 08731

Enrollment

845

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Forked River

#2 of 2

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#400 of 441

In district

#5 of 6

Lacey Township School District

About Lacey Township Middle School

Lacey Township Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Forked River, New Jersey, with an enrollment of 845 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4 to 1, supported by 68 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a reasonably sized learning environment for middle-grade students. Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance in core subjects.

In English Language Arts, about half of students demonstrate proficiency or above, while mathematics proficiency sits at 35 percent across grade levels. This indicates an area of particular focus for improvement, especially in developing students' math skills. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, with room for growth in student achievement across the board.

Located in a large suburban area of Ocean County, Lacey Township Middle School is part of the broader Forked River community. The school's suburban setting provides students with access to local resources and a diverse peer group as they navigate the middle school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Math vs. State Avg-13.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.6 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected-10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment5.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,751

Lacey Township Middle School — Students at Lacey Township Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.0%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
53.7%

Based on 13 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
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2024
Math
39.2%
ELA
45.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Lacey Township Middle School Compares

See how Lacey Township Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
5.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

Location

660 DENTON AVENUE, Forked River, NJ 08731

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lacey Township Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Regional Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Bayville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Berkeley Township Elementary School (rated 5.6/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Bayville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Toms River Intermediate School South (rated 5.3/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Beachwood), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Forked River, see our Forked River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Lacey Township High School Lanoka Harbor 0.3 mi 5.5
Mill Pond Elementary School Lanoka Harbor 0.7 mi 3.2
Cedar Creek Elementary School Lanoka Harbor 0.8 mi 6.2
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Forked River 1.0 mi
Lanoka Harbor Elementary School Lanoka Harbor 1.0 mi 4.8
Forked River Elementary School Forked River 1.1 mi 5.9
THE EDUCATION ACADEMY Lanoka Harbor 1.1 mi 6.0
Central Regional High School Bayville 2.3 mi 4.7
Central Regional Middle School Bayville 2.2 mi 6.9
Clara B. Worth Elementary School Bayville 2.9 mi 6.7
Toms River Intermediate School South Beachwood 4.0 mi 5.3
Berkeley Township Elementary School Bayville 3.7 mi 5.6
Beachwood Elementary School Beachwood 4.5 mi 5.9
Frederic A. Priff Elementary School Waretown 4.7 mi 6.0
Waretown Elementary School Waretown 4.8 mi 6.6
Bayville Elementary School Bayville 4.6 mi 4.9
OCEAN ACADEMY Bayville 4.9 mi 7.3
H & M Potter School Bayville 4.8 mi 6.2
Ocean County Vocational Technical School Waretown Center Waretown 5.0 mi 5.7
Pine Beach Elementary School Pine Beach 5.5 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08731 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,267

Median Home Value

$360,000

Median Rent

$2,080/mo

Population

21,136

College Educated

31.6%

Homeownership

85.5%

Avg Commute

34 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

47.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lacey Township Middle School has a median household income of $93,267. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $360,000, with a median rent of $2,080/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Macopin Middle School West Milford, NJ 4.5
Glen Meadow Middle School Vernon, NJ 4.6
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield, NJ 4.6
Herbert Hoover Middle School Edison, NJ 4.6
New Roberto Clemente Paterson, NJ 4.6
William Davies Middle School Mays Landing, NJ 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lacey Township Middle School

What grades does Lacey Township Middle School serve?

Lacey Township Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lacey Township Middle School?

Lacey Township Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 845 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lacey Township Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lacey Township Middle School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lacey Township Middle School rank in NJ?

Lacey Township Middle School is ranked #2135 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Lacey Township Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lacey Township Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Lacey Township Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lacey Township Middle School has 35.0% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lacey Township Middle School a charter school?

No, Lacey Township Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lacey Township Middle School a Title I school?

No, Lacey Township Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lacey Township Middle School?

27.8% of students at Lacey Township 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

County Safety
Low (1/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Ocean County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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