Needs Improvement
#2372 of 2,466 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
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
3.6
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,372 of 2,466
In Newton
#9 of 9
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Newton Public School District
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Merriam Avenue School
Elementary School in Newton · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Newton High School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Halsted Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Merriam Avenue School
Merriam Avenue School is a public elementary school in Newton, NJ, part of Newton Public School District. Merriam Avenue School serves approximately 524 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Merriam Avenue School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,372 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for Merriam Avenue School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- NJ avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Merriam Avenue School — Students at Merriam Avenue School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 2.9/10.
How Merriam Avenue School Compares
See how Merriam Avenue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Marian E. McKeown Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frankford Township School (rated 7.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alpine Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Sparta), 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 | 6.4 |
| LAKELAND ANDOVER SCHOOL Newton | 0.7 mi | — |
| Long Pond School Newton | 2.6 mi | 9.1 |
| Florence M. Burd Newton | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Fredon Township School Newton | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Kittatinny Regional High School Newton | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Marian E. McKeown Elementary School Newton | 4.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Green Hills School Greendell | 4.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Alpine Elementary School Sparta | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Frankford Township School Branchville | 6.6 mi | 7.9 |
| TRANQUILITY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Andover | 6.8 mi | — |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sparta | 5.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Sussex County Technical School Sparta | 6.2 mi | 6.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Joyce Kilmer Elementary School Cherry Hill, NJ | 3.6 |
| Paul S. Robeson Elementary School Trenton, NJ | 3.6 |
| Roebling Elementary School Roebling, NJ | 3.6 |
| Twin Hills Elementary School Willingboro, NJ | 3.6 |
| Darlene C. McKnight Elementary Trenton, NJ | 3.5 |
| E Raymond Appleby Elementary School Spotswood, NJ | 3.7 |
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 ranks #2,372 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Merriam Avenue School's MySchoolScout rating?
Merriam Avenue School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Merriam Avenue School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Merriam Avenue School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.3%
- Phone
- (973) 383-7202
Resources & Links
District
Newton Public School District- District Enrollment
- 1,622
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $26,403
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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