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Very Good

#794 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 32% in state

Valley Middle School

Middle School · Oakland Public School District

71 OAK ST, Oakland, NJ 07436

Enrollment

446

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#794 of 2,466

In Oakland

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Oakland Public School District

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Valley Middle School

7.2/10

Middle School in Oakland · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dogwood Hill Elementary School

9.3/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Apple Montessori School of Oakland

Nearby

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Valley Middle School

Valley Middle School is a public middle school in Oakland, NJ, part of Oakland Public School District. Valley Middle School serves approximately 446 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #794 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Valley Middle School show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts above NJ schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 9.1:1 students to teachers, Valley 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.11 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency80% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+18.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,645
Chronic Absenteeism12.1%

Valley Middle School — Students at Valley Middle School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

6.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 62.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 78.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 42 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
84%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
83%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
89%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
89%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
59%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
61%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
44%
ELA
73%
2024
Math
63.6%
ELA
79%
2025
Math
60.4%
ELA
80%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Valley Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
68th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
7%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

71 OAK ST, Oakland, NJ 07436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Franklin Avenue Middle School (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Franklin Lakes), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeside School (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Pompton Lakes), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Oakland, see our Oakland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Dogwood Hill Elementary School Oakland 0.4 mi 9.3
APPLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF OAKLAND Oakland 0.6 mi
GERRARD BERMAN DAY SCHOOL Oakland 0.6 mi 8.2
REED ACADEMY Oakland 1.0 mi 7.0
Indian Hills High School Oakland 0.8 mi 6.7
CTC Oakland 1.1 mi 7.8
BARNSTABLE ACADEMY Oakland 1.2 mi 7.1
THE NEW JERSEY JAPANESE SCHOOL Oakland 1.1 mi 6.8
Heights Elementary School Oakland 1.3 mi 8.2
Colonial Road School Franklin Lakes 1.4 mi 7.5
Manito Elementary School Oakland 1.9 mi 7.6
Lakeside School Pompton Lakes 2.4 mi 7.4
Pines Lake Elementary School Wayne 2.9 mi 6.6
Franklin Avenue Middle School Franklin Lakes 2.2 mi 9.2
ACADEMY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT Franklin Lakes 2.8 mi 6.1
Pompton Lakes High School Pompton Lakes 2.6 mi 6.1
Lenox School Pompton Lakes 2.6 mi 4.6
Lincoln School Pompton Lakes 2.9 mi 9.1
Peter Cooper School Ringwood 3.2 mi 9.0
High Mountain Road School Franklin Lakes 2.9 mi 9.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$162,763

Median Home Value

$566,900

Median Rent

$1,466/mo

Population

12,676

College Educated

54.4%

Homeownership

91.8%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.2%

Median Age

41.9

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
Jefferson Township Middle School Oak Ridge, NJ 7.2
Memorial Middle School Woodland Park, NJ 7.2
Northfield Community Middle School Northfield, NJ 7.2
Somerset School North Plainfield, NJ 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Middle School

What grades does Valley Middle School serve?

Valley Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Valley Middle School?

Valley Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 446 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Middle School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Middle School rank in NJ?

Valley Middle School ranks #794 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley 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 Valley Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Middle School has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 78% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Valley Middle School a charter school?

No, Valley Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Middle School a Title I school?

No, Valley Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valley Middle School?

6.7% of students at Valley 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

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
6.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.1%

District

Oakland Public School District
District Enrollment
1,348
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,645
District Rank
#4 of 4

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