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Average

#230 of 535 private schools in NJ

Top 43% of private schools

Shepard School

Middle School

2 MILLER RD, Kinnelon, NJ 07405

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on NJ statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

5.9:1

Score

6.6

Grades

1st – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

New Jersey middle schools

#6 of 12

About Shepard School

Shepard School is a regular public school located in the rural area of Kinnelon, New Jersey, near Morris Township. The school serves students from first to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 68 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5.9:1. Shepard School benefits from having twelve full-time equivalent teachers who provide personalized attention to each student.

While Shepard School currently ranks in the lower half of New Jersey schools, it is focusing on student development and academic growth. The school’s setting in a rural area provides students with a close-knit community where they can thrive both academically and socially. Shepard School stands out for its small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff, creating an environment that supports individual learning needs.

With its serene location near the town of Kinnelon, Shepard offers a peaceful setting for middle school education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 68 students, Shepard School 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 5.9:1, Shepard School 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.

As a private school, Shepard School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$69,140
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$69,719
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.01x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
100%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 68 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Shepard School compares to the 4 public schools in Kinnelon, NJ

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.9:1
This School
vs
10.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
68
This School
vs
411
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.6
This School
vs
7.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.3% vs 0%
Black 8.8% vs 0%
Shepard School Kinnelon Public Avg

All Schools in Kinnelon

School Rating
Shepard School (this school) 6.6
Pearl R. Miller Middle School 9.0
Stonybrook Elementary School 7.2
Kinnelon High School 7.2
Kiel Elementary School 6.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NJ.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5.6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,192.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 42%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 68
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NJ

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 73.5%
Hispanic 10.3%
Black 8.8%
Two or More 5.9%
Native American 1.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2 MILLER RD, Kinnelon, NJ 07405

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepard School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pearl R. Miller Middle School (rated 9.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walter T. Bergen Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Bloomingdale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Richard Butler School (rated 5.4/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Butler), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kinnelon, see our Kinnelon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
INCLUSIVE LEARNING ACADEMY Kinnelon 1.5 mi
Pearl R. Miller Middle School Kinnelon 1.5 mi 9.0
Kinnelon High School Kinnelon 1.5 mi 7.2
Kiel Elementary School Kinnelon 1.6 mi 6.5
Stonybrook Elementary School Kinnelon 1.5 mi 7.2
Aaron Decker School Butler 2.6 mi 5.4
Apshawa Elementary School West Milford 3.2 mi 8.2
William Mason School Montville 3.3 mi 6.9
Butler High School Butler 2.8 mi 6.0
Richard Butler School Butler 2.8 mi 5.4
ABC'S OF LEARNING Towaco 3.3 mi
Samuel R. Donald Elementary School Bloomingdale 3.3 mi 8.4
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF TOWACO Towaco 4.0 mi
Walter T. Bergen Middle School Bloomingdale 3.9 mi 7.5
THE CRAIG SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL Montville 4.5 mi 6.9
CRAIG SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL Montville 4.5 mi 6.5
Rockaway Valley School Boonton Township 4.3 mi 7.6
CHANCELLOR ACADEMY Pompton Plains 3.7 mi 6.9
Cedar Hill School Towaco 4.6 mi 9.3
OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL Boonton 4.8 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$127,500

Median Home Value

$552,500

Median Rent

$1,526/mo

Population

17,859

College Educated

56.9%

Homeownership

79.8%

Avg Commute

35.3 min

Poverty Rate

5.4%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shepard School has a median household income of $127,500. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $552,500, with a median rent of $1,526/month. The local poverty rate of 5.4% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 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
Young Men's Academy Paterson, NJ 6.5
GUARDIAN ANGELS REGIONAL SCHOOL Paulsboro, NJ 6.7
THE SISTERS ACADEMY Asbury Park, NJ 6.7
THE WINSTON SCHOOL Short Hills, NJ 7.2
NEWMARK SCHOOL Scotch Plains, NJ 5.7
COMMUNITY SCHOOL Teaneck, NJ 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepard School

What grades does Shepard School serve?

Shepard School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.

How many students attend Shepard School?

Shepard School has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepard School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepard School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Shepard School rank in NJ?

Shepard School is ranked #230 out of 535 private schools in NJ.

What is Shepard School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shepard School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Shepard School a private school?

Yes, Shepard School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Shepard School a religious school?

No, Shepard School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (361/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kinnelon). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
68
Gender Split
78% M / 22% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5.6 hours
Days Per Year
213 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
MORRIS
Data Year
2022–2023

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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