Very Good
#798 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Top 32% in state
South Orange Middle School
Middle School · South Orange-Maplewood School District
70 North Ridgewood Road, S. Orange, NJ 07079
Enrollment
769
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
769
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#798 of 2,466
In S. Orange
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#5 of 10
South Orange-Maplewood School District
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very Good
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South Orange Middle School
Middle School in S. Orange · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Our Lady of Sorrows School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montrose Early Childhood Center
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Orange Middle School
South Orange Middle School is a public middle school in S. Orange, NJ, part of South Orange-Maplewood School District. South Orange Middle School serves approximately 769 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
South Orange Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #798 of 2,466 schools in NJ. Structured state assessment records for South Orange Middle School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 7.3
- NJ avg 6.9
What Parents Should Know
At 9.6:1 students to teachers, South Orange Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Orange Middle School — Students at South Orange Middle School score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)
Based on 42 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: 7.3/10.
How South Orange Middle School Compares
See how South Orange Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
70 North Ridgewood Road, S. Orange, NJ 07079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Orange Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Roosevelt Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Maplewood Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), with a very similar rating. For more schools in S. Orange, see our S. Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL South Orange | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Montrose Early Childhood Center South Orange | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| South Mountain Elementary School S. Orange | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges South Orange | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| SOUTH ORANGE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL South Orange | 0.7 mi | — |
| Columbia High School Maplewood | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Marshall Elementary School S. Orange | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Clinton Elementary School Maplewood | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Gregory Elementary School W. Orange | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Heywood Avenue Elementary School Orange | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood | 1.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Mt Vernon Place School Newark | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Forest Street Community Elementary School Orange | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Roosevelt Middle School W. Orange | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Maplewood Middle School Maplewood | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Tuscan Elementary School Maplewood | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Ivy Hill Elementary School Newark | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| FEDCAP - 4T Orange | 1.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Newark | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$184,769
Median Home Value
$808,100
Median Rent
$2,067/mo
Population
18,369
College Educated
76.1%
Homeownership
65.6%
Avg Commute
38 min
Poverty Rate
6.4%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avenel Middle School Avenel, NJ | 7.2 |
| Bayshore Middle School Leonardo, NJ | 7.2 |
| Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell, NJ | 7.2 |
| Jefferson Township Middle School Oak Ridge, NJ | 7.2 |
| Kawameeh Middle School Union, NJ | 7.2 |
| Roy W. Brown Middle School Bergenfield, NJ | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Orange Middle School
What grades does South Orange Middle School serve?
South Orange Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Orange Middle School?
South Orange Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 769 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Orange Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Orange Middle School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Orange Middle School rank in NJ?
South Orange Middle School ranks #798 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is South Orange Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Orange Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 South Orange Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Orange Middle School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 73% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is South Orange Middle School a charter school?
No, South Orange Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Orange Middle School a Title I school?
No, South Orange Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Orange Middle School?
11.2% of students at South Orange Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 769
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 10.3%
- Phone
- (973) 378-2772
Resources & Links
District
South Orange-Maplewood School District- District Enrollment
- 7,047
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,104
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
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