Excellent
#134 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 5% 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
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
446
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Oakland
#2 of 5
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#16 of 441
In district
#2 of 4
Oakland Public School District
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Valley Middle School
Valley Middle School is a public middle school in Oakland, NJ, part of the Oakland Public School District. The school serves approximately 446 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 94.6th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 56% proficiency in math, 22 points above the state average and 76% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $162,763, where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Valley 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valley Middle School — Students at Valley Middle School score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
6.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.0/10.
How Valley Middle School Compares
See how Valley Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 44% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 73% (2022).
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 7.3/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Franklin Lakes), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lakeside School (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Pompton Lakes), a more accessible option. 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 | 8.4 |
| 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 | 8.6 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| Colonial Road School Franklin Lakes | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Manito Elementary School Oakland | 1.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Lakeside School Pompton Lakes | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Pines Lake Elementary School Wayne | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Franklin Avenue Middle School Franklin Lakes | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| ACADEMY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT Franklin Lakes | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Pompton Lakes High School Pompton Lakes | 2.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Lenox School Pompton Lakes | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Lincoln School Pompton Lakes | 2.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Peter Cooper School Ringwood | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
| High Mountain Road School Franklin Lakes | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Valley Middle School has a median household income of $162,763. It is a well-educated community where 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $566,900, with a median rent of $1,466/month. The local poverty rate of 3.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Brook Middle School Paramus, NJ | 8.6 |
| Bernardsville Middle School Bernardsville, NJ | 8.5 |
| East Hanover Middle School East Hanover, NJ | 8.7 |
| Edison Middle School W. Orange, NJ | 8.4 |
| George G White Hillsdale, NJ | 8.4 |
| Holdrum Middle School River Vale, NJ | 8.4 |
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 is ranked #134 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Valley Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Valley Middle School has a composite rating of 8.6 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.
What are the test scores at Valley Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Middle School has 56.1% math proficiency and 75.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Oakland). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (201) 337-8185
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oakland Public School District- District Enrollment
- 1,348
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,645
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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