Average
#1485 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Merriam Avenue School
Elementary School · Newton Public School District
81 MERRIAM AVENUE, Newton, NJ 07860
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#6 of 8
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#888 of 1,496
In district
#2 of 3
Newton Public School District
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Merriam Avenue School
Merriam Avenue School is an elementary school in Newton, New Jersey, nestled on the edge of a more urban area. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 524 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1 with 46 full-time equivalent teachers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranking 54th percentile among New Jersey schools, Merriam Avenue School focuses on providing a supportive educational environment that emphasizes both academic growth and student development.
In terms of test performance, the school shows proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) at 42% and math at 33%, indicating areas where there is room for improvement. Despite these statistics, Merriam Avenue School remains committed to offering a nurturing setting that encourages learning and community involvement. The school's location within a town on the outskirts of an urban area provides students with access to both rural charm and city resources.
Merriam Avenue School is situated in a vibrant neighborhood where families can engage in various local activities, making it a welcoming place for students to grow and thrive academically and socially.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Merriam Avenue School — Students at Merriam Avenue School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.2%
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: 4.2/10.
How Merriam Avenue School Compares
See how Merriam Avenue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
81 MERRIAM AVENUE, Newton, NJ 07860
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Merriam Avenue School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Florence M. Burd (rated 9.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Green Hills School (rated 7.3/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Greendell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fredon Township School (rated 7.0/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Newton High School Newton | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Halsted Middle School Newton | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| LAKELAND ANDOVER SCHOOL Newton | 0.7 mi | — |
| Long Pond School Newton | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Florence M. Burd Newton | 2.6 mi | 9.0 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Fredon Township School Newton | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Kittatinny Regional High School Newton | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Marian E. McKeown Elementary School Newton | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Green Hills School Greendell | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Alpine Elementary School Sparta | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| POPE JOHN XXIII HIGH SCHOOL Sparta | 4.6 mi | 4.8 |
| POPE JOHN XXIII MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparta | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| REV GEORGE A BROWN SCHOOL Sparta | 4.7 mi | 5.8 |
| BROADSTEP ACADEMY Sparta | 4.9 mi | — |
| Northern Hills Academy Sparta | 5.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Frankford Township School Branchville | 6.6 mi | 5.0 |
| TRANQUILITY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Andover | 6.8 mi | — |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sparta | 5.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Sussex County Technical School Sparta | 6.2 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$104,113
Median Home Value
$336,600
Median Rent
$1,437/mo
Population
26,521
College Educated
40.2%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
31.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
46.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Merriam Avenue School has a median household income of $104,113. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,600, with a median rent of $1,437/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam Elementary School Hillsborough, NJ | 5.9 |
| BELZ INSTITUTION/BAIS MALKO, BRENCH Lakewood, NJ | 5.9 |
| Barclay Brook School Monroe Twp, NJ | 5.9 |
| Beachwood Elementary School Beachwood, NJ | 5.9 |
| Central Early Childhood Center Deptford, NJ | 5.9 |
| Clinton Public School Clinton, NJ | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Merriam Avenue School
What grades does Merriam Avenue School serve?
Merriam Avenue School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Merriam Avenue School?
Merriam Avenue School has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Merriam Avenue School?
The student-teacher ratio at Merriam Avenue School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Merriam Avenue School rank in NJ?
Merriam Avenue School is ranked #1485 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Merriam Avenue School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merriam Avenue School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Merriam Avenue School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merriam Avenue School has 33.0% math proficiency and 41.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Merriam Avenue School a charter school?
No, Merriam Avenue School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Merriam Avenue School a Title I school?
No, Merriam Avenue School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merriam Avenue School?
50.2% of students at Merriam Avenue 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 (890/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 524
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Sussex County
- Phone
- (973) 383-7202
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newton Public School District- District Enrollment
- 1,622
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,403
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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