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#1603 of 2,463 schools in NJ

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

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In S. Orange

#3 of 3

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#305 of 441

In district

#10 of 10

South Orange-Maplewood School District

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About South Orange Middle School

South Orange Middle School serves 769 students in grades 6-8 in the heart of South Orange, New Jersey. With 80 full-time teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.6:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide at #511 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools.

Students show particularly strong literacy skills, with 69% achieving proficient or above in English Language Arts across all grade levels. Math performance shows room for growth, with 48% of students meeting proficiency standards. South Orange Middle School draws from a highly educated community where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $173,012.

The low poverty rate of 6.7% reflects the area's economic stability, while median home values of $769,100 indicate a well-established neighborhood that prioritizes education. Located at 70 North Ridgewood Road, the school sits in Essex County's large suburban setting, providing students with both the resources of a well-funded district and the close-knit feel of a community that values academic achievement and family engagement.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, South Orange Middle 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-2.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Math vs. State Avg+6.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
Resources & Environment6.7Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,717

South Orange Middle School — Students at South Orange Middle School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

11.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 70.0%
School
State
53.7%

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
62%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
69%
2024
Math
39.8%
ELA
69.2%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How South Orange Middle School Compares

See how South Orange Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
11%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers

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 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Maplewood Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Maplewood), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.7
South Mountain Elementary School S. Orange 0.5 mi 7.5
STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges South Orange 0.7 mi 9.2
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL South Orange 0.7 mi
Columbia High School Maplewood 0.9 mi 7.0
Marshall Elementary School S. Orange 0.8 mi 7.6
Clinton Elementary School Maplewood 1.0 mi 6.5
Gregory Elementary School W. Orange 1.2 mi 8.7
Heywood Avenue Elementary School Orange 1.1 mi 7.0
Delia Bolden Elementary School Maplewood 1.2 mi 8.4
Mt Vernon Place School Newark 1.2 mi 3.8
Forest Street Community Elementary School Orange 1.4 mi 5.3
Roosevelt Middle School W. Orange 1.6 mi 7.8
Maplewood Middle School Maplewood 1.5 mi 6.1
Tuscan Elementary School Maplewood 1.7 mi 8.6
Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange 1.7 mi 8.7
Ivy Hill Elementary School Newark 1.5 mi 7.5
FEDCAP - 4T Orange 1.8 mi 6.9
Lincoln Elementary School Newark 1.5 mi 3.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Orange Middle School has a median household income of $184,769. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $808,100, with a median rent of $2,067/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% 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
Carl W. Goetz Middle School Jackson, NJ 5.7
Lakeside Middle School Millville, NJ 5.7
School #6/Middle School Cliffside Park, NJ 5.7
University Middle School Irvington, NJ 5.7
Belleville Middle School Belleville, NJ 5.8
Chatham Middle School Chatham, NJ 5.8

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 is ranked #1603 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is South Orange Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Orange Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 South Orange Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Orange Middle School has 42.5% math proficiency and 70.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (18/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

South Orange-Maplewood School District
District Enrollment
7,047
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,104
District Rank
#10 of 10

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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