Very Good
#565 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 23% in state
Northern Hills Academy
School · Northern Hills Academy School District
10 GAIL COURT, Sparta, NJ 07871
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NJ statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
50
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sparta
#2 of 6
public schools
New Jersey schools
#14 of 104
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Northern Hills Academy
Northern Hills Academy is a small, rural public school nestled in Sparta, New Jersey. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of just 50 students and maintains a close-knit community with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5 to 1. With ten full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to personalized instruction, Northern Hills Academy focuses on individualized attention and support for every student.
While academic performance data is not available, the school's MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 indicates there may be room for improvement in certain areas but also suggests a nurturing environment where students can develop their skills at their own pace. The school’s state ranking of #1196 out of 2475 schools places it around the 52nd percentile, indicating that while there is potential for growth, Northern Hills Academy remains dedicated to its mission of student development and support. Northern Hills Academy is set in a serene rural area near Sparta, offering students a peaceful setting conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 50 students, Northern Hills Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Northern Hills Academy 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.
Located in a rural area, Northern Hills Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Northern Hills Academy Compares
See how Northern Hills Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
10 GAIL COURT, Sparta, NJ 07871
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Northern Hills Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Florence M. Burd (rated 9.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sparta High School (rated 8.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ogdensburg Borough School (rated 8.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Ogdensburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sparta, see our Sparta schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BROADSTEP ACADEMY Sparta | 0.0 mi | — |
| VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sparta | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Sussex County Technical School Sparta | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| REV GEORGE A BROWN SCHOOL Sparta | 2.8 mi | 5.8 |
| POPE JOHN XXIII HIGH SCHOOL Sparta | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| POPE JOHN XXIII MIDDLE SCHOOL Sparta | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Sparta High School Sparta | 2.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Mohawk Avenue School Sparta | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| ALPINE MONTESSORI - SPARTA Sparta | 2.9 mi | — |
| Alpine Elementary School Sparta | 3.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Sussex County Technology Charter School Sparta | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Florence M. Burd Newton | 3.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Long Pond School Newton | 3.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Sparta Middle School Sparta | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Helen Morgan School Sparta | 3.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Lafayette Township School Lafayette | 4.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Ogdensburg Borough School Ogdensburg | 3.8 mi | 8.0 |
| NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newton | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Halsted Middle School Newton | 4.6 mi | 6.7 |
| LAKELAND ANDOVER SCHOOL Newton | 4.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07871 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$167,443
Median Home Value
$462,900
Median Rent
$1,831/mo
Population
21,167
College Educated
62.4%
Homeownership
90.6%
Avg Commute
38.1 min
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Northern Hills Academy has a median household income of $167,443. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $462,900, with a median rent of $1,831/month. The local poverty rate of 3.1% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| KOHLER ACADEMY Mountainside, NJ | 7.6 |
| Life Skills Continuum Paramus, NJ | 7.6 |
| Multiple Disabilities Continuum Paramus, NJ | 7.6 |
| Salem Campus Woodstown, NJ | 7.6 |
| The Shore Center Tinton Falls, NJ | 7.6 |
| BROOKFIELD ACADEMY Cherry Hill, NJ | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Northern Hills Academy
What grades does Northern Hills Academy serve?
Northern Hills Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Northern Hills Academy?
Northern Hills Academy has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Academy is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Northern Hills Academy rank in NJ?
Northern Hills Academy is ranked #565 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Northern Hills Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Hills Academy has a composite rating of 7.6 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.
Is Northern Hills Academy a charter school?
No, Northern Hills Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Northern Hills Academy a Title I school?
No, Northern Hills Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Hills Academy?
10.0% of students at Northern Hills Academy 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 50
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 10.0%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Sussex County
- Phone
- (973) 579-6980
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northern Hills Academy School District- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $172,636
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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