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Very Good

#435 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 18% in state

West Essex Middle School

Middle School · West Essex Regional School District

65 WEST GREENBROOK RD, North Caldwell, NJ 07006

Enrollment

622

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Caldwell

#1 of 2

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#68 of 441

In district

#1 of 2

West Essex Regional School District

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About West Essex Middle School

West Essex Middle School serves 622 students in grades 7 and 8 in North Caldwell, New Jersey. With 58 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. Academically, West Essex Middle School earns a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating and ranks #433 out of 2,475 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among New Jersey middle schools.

Students demonstrate strong performance in English Language Arts, with 74% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth, with 47% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 07006 zip code, where the median household income reaches $144,142 and 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area maintains a low 2.8% poverty rate and features a median home value of $642,300, reflecting the community's investment in education and family stability. Located on West Greenbrook Road, West Essex Middle School operates in a large suburban setting that combines the benefits of spacious residential neighborhoods with access to educational resources and community amenities typical of Essex County's well-established communities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Math vs. State Avg+5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.7 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected-2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$29,582

West Essex Middle School — Students at West Essex Middle School score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

3.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.9%
School
State
33.0%
ELA Proficiency 74.3%
School
State
53.8%

Based on 11 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
74%
2024
Math
60.5%
ELA
75.2%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How West Essex Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
4%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers

Location

65 WEST GREENBROOK RD, North Caldwell, NJ 07006

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Essex Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Grover Cleveland Middle School (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Caldwell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Gould/Mountain Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby N. Caldwell), with a very similar rating. For more schools in North Caldwell, see our North Caldwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
West Essex High School North Caldwell 0.2 mi 7.6
Grandview Elementary School N. Caldwell 0.6 mi 7.7
Essex High School Fairfield 1.0 mi
Essex Campus Academy Fairfield 1.0 mi 4.6
Gould/Mountain Elementary School N. Caldwell 1.1 mi 7.5
Little Falls Township Public School # 3 Little Falls 1.2 mi 4.9
Washington Elementary School West Caldwell 1.6 mi 5.9
MONARCH MONTESSORI SCHOOL Little Falls 1.4 mi 7.1
GLENVIEW ACADEMY Fairfield 1.3 mi 6.7
THE GRAMON SCHOOL Fairfield 1.3 mi 7.4
BANYAN UPPER SCHOOL Little Falls 1.4 mi 6.5
NEW BEGINNINGS Fairfield 1.3 mi 7.8
Winston S. Churchill School Fairfield 1.4 mi 3.4
North End Elementary School Cedar Grove 1.6 mi 7.6
Harrison School West Caldwell 2.0 mi 4.3
Essex County West Caldwell Tech West Caldwell 2.0 mi 7.8
Grover Cleveland Middle School Caldwell 2.4 mi 7.6
LAKEVIEW LEARNING CENTER Wayne 2.5 mi
Verona High School Verona 2.5 mi 7.1
Lincoln Elementary School Caldwell 2.6 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,645

Median Home Value

$667,300

Median Rent

$1,973/mo

Population

26,417

College Educated

64.9%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Essex Middle School has a median household income of $148,645. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $667,300, with a median rent of $1,973/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Bayshore Middle School Leonardo, NJ 7.8
Benjamin Franklin Middle School Teaneck, NJ 7.8
Glenfield Middle School Montclair, NJ 7.8
Roosevelt Middle School W. Orange, NJ 7.8
Waldwick Middle School Waldwick, NJ 7.8
Bell Oaks Upper Elementary School Bellmawr, NJ 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Essex Middle School

What grades does West Essex Middle School serve?

West Essex Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend West Essex Middle School?

West Essex Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 622 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Essex Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Essex Middle School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Essex Middle School rank in NJ?

West Essex Middle School is ranked #435 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is West Essex Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Essex Middle School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 West Essex Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Essex Middle School has 52.9% math proficiency and 74.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Essex Middle School a charter school?

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

Is West Essex Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

3.5% of students at West Essex 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (658/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
622
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
3.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Essex Regional School District
District Enrollment
1,694
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$29,572
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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