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Average

#1194 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 48% in state

Merritt Memorial

Elementary School · Cresskill Public School District

1 DOGWOOD LANE, Cresskill, NJ 07626

Enrollment

273

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cresskill

#2 of 2

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#716 of 1,496

In district

#3 of 4

Cresskill Public School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Merritt Memorial

Merritt Memorial serves 273 elementary students in grades 1 through 5 in Cresskill, New Jersey, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 60th among New Jersey's 2,475 schools, this public elementary school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. The school maintains an impressive 9:1 student-teacher ratio with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that clearly translates to student success.

Academic performance is strong across core subjects, with 77% of students achieving proficiency or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics. This consistent performance across subject areas reflects the school's well-rounded educational approach. Located at 1 Dogwood Lane, Merritt Memorial benefits from its position in an affluent suburban community where 58% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding ZIP code 07626 has a median household income of $162,430 and median home values of $722,000, creating a stable, education-focused environment. With only a 2.6% poverty rate among the area's 9,105 residents, the school draws from a community that strongly values and supports academic excellence. Merritt Memorial operates within Bergen County's large suburban setting, providing students with both the advantages of a close-knit school community and access to the broader educational and cultural opportunities of the metropolitan region.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Merritt Memorial offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Math vs. State Avg+29.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33.1 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+13.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,281

Merritt Memorial — Students at Merritt Memorial score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

1.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
49.3%

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
82%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
69.3%
ELA
73.6%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Merritt Memorial Compares

See how Merritt Memorial performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
2%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

1 DOGWOOD LANE, Cresskill, NJ 07626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merritt Memorial may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luther Lee Emerson School (rated 9.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Demarest), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edward H. Bryan (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, County Road School (rated 7.2/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Demarest), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cresskill, see our Cresskill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Cresskill High School Cresskill 0.4 mi 7.5
Cresskill Middle School Cresskill 0.4 mi 4.5
Edward H. Bryan Cresskill 0.5 mi 7.5
County Road School Demarest 0.6 mi 7.2
Tenafly High School Tenafly 0.8 mi 8.7
Ralph S Maugham School Tenafly 0.9 mi 6.6
TENAFLY CHABAD ACADEMY Tenafly 1.0 mi 7.1
ACADEMY OF THE HOLY ANGELS Demarest 0.8 mi 5.1
Tenafly Middle School Tenafly 1.0 mi 8.0
Demarest Middle School Demarest 1.1 mi 7.2
Luther Lee Emerson School Demarest 1.1 mi 9.0
ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL Tenafly 1.4 mi 6.7
THE MONTESSORI HOUSE Tenafly 1.4 mi
Malcolm S Mackay School Tenafly 1.4 mi 7.2
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest Demarest 1.6 mi 8.8
Bergen County Institute for Science and Technology Paramus 1.6 mi
Hillside Elementary School Closter 1.7 mi 5.2
Grant Elementary School Dumont 1.4 mi 5.7
Honiss Elementary\Middle School Dumont 1.5 mi 6.6
Jefferson Elementary School Bergenfield 1.6 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$173,293

Median Home Value

$764,800

Median Rent

$2,311/mo

Population

9,101

College Educated

58.5%

Homeownership

80.6%

Avg Commute

33.6 min

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding Merritt Memorial has a median household income of $173,293. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $764,800, with a median rent of $2,311/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% 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
ACADEMY OF SAINT PAUL Ramsey, NJ 6.4
Barley Sheaf Elementary School Flemington, NJ 6.4
Bradley Elementary School Asbury Park, NJ 6.4
Hawes Elementary School Ridgewood, NJ 6.4
Hilltop School Lodi, NJ 6.4
Marshall Hill Elementary School West Milford, NJ 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merritt Memorial

What grades does Merritt Memorial serve?

Merritt Memorial serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Merritt Memorial?

Merritt Memorial has an enrollment of approximately 273 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merritt Memorial?

The student-teacher ratio at Merritt Memorial is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merritt Memorial rank in NJ?

Merritt Memorial is ranked #1194 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Merritt Memorial's MySchoolScout rating?

Merritt Memorial has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Merritt Memorial?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merritt Memorial has 72.3% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Merritt Memorial a charter school?

No, Merritt Memorial is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Merritt Memorial a Title I school?

No, Merritt Memorial is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merritt Memorial?

1.8% of students at Merritt Memorial 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 (0/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
273
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
1.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cresskill Public School District
District Enrollment
1,709
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,238
District Rank
#3 of 4

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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