According to the State Aid Summaries from the State of New Jersey Department of Education for the upcoming School Year, Ocean County will see cuts in State Aid affecting 17 School Districts.
Parents are concerned about the quality of education their children receive, often measured by test scores in Math and Reading.
Ocean County’s Top Performing Public Schools
A comprehensive analysis by a platform that evaluates Proficiency Scores has ranked the following Ocean County Public Schools in the top 50 percent of all New Jersey Public Schools:
1. Marine Of Technology And Environmental Science (9th to 12th Grades)
Ranked in the top 1 percent statewide, Marine Of Technology And Environmental Science High School excels with Math Proficiency exceeding 95 percent and Reading Proficiency also exceeding 95 percent.
2. Ocean County Vocational Technical School Waretown Center (9th to 12th Grades)
This school ranks in the top 20 percent in New Jersey, with Math Proficiency between 40-59 percent and Reading Proficiency between 60-79 percent.
3. Memorial Middle School (6th to 8th Grades)
Also in the top 20 percent statewide, Memorial Middle School boasts Math Proficiency at 48 percent and Reading Proficiency at 60 percent.
4. Ocean County Vocational Technical School Grunin Performing Arts Academy (9th to 12th Grades)
Ranking in the top 30 percent, this school showcases Math Proficiency at 30-34 percent and Reading Proficiency at 65-69 percent.
5. Beach Haven School (Pre-K to 6th Grades)
With Math Proficiency between 40-49 percent and Reading Proficiency between 50-59 percent, Beach Haven School is among the top 30 percent in New Jersey.
6. Bay Head Elementary School (Kindergarten to 8th Grades)
Bay Head Elementary School ranks in the top 30 percent, with Math Proficiency at 35-39 percent and Reading Proficiency at 55-59 percent.
7. New Egypt Middle School (6th to 8th Grades)
Math Proficiency at 31 percent and Reading Proficiency at 64 percent position New Egypt Middle School in the top 30 percent statewide.
8. Island Heights Elementary School (Pre-K to 6th Grades)
This school ranks in the top 30 percent, with Math Proficiency at 30-34 percent and Reading Proficiency at 55-59 percent.
9. New Egypt High School (9th to 12th Grades)
New Egypt High School is in the top 30 percent, with Math Proficiency at 30-34 percent and Reading Proficiency at 55-59 percent.
10. Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grades)
Ranking in the top 50 percent, Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School has Math Proficiency at 44 percent and Reading Proficiency at 50 percent.
11. Point Pleasant Borough High School (9th to 12th Grades)
With Math Proficiency at 43 percent and Reading Proficiency at 50 percent, Point Pleasant High School is in the top 50 percent statewide.
12. Ocean Road Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grades)
Ocean Road Elementary School ranks in the top 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 35 percent and Reading Proficiency at 53 percent.
13. Jackson Memorial High School (9th to 12th Grades)
Jackson Memorial High School is in the top 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 28 percent and Reading Proficiency at 57 percent.
14. Carl W. Goetz Middle School (6th to 8th Grades)
This school ranks in the top 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 32 percent and Reading Proficiency at 54 percent.
15. G. Harold Antrim Elementary School (Pre-K to 8th Grades)
G. Harold Antrim Elementary School is in the top 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 39 percent and Reading Proficiency at 49 percent.
Ocean County’s Lowest Performing Public Schools
The following Ocean County Public Schools have been rated with a 3 out of 10 or lower by Public School Review:
1. South Toms River Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
South Toms River Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 6-9 percent and Reading Proficiency between 20-24 percent.
2. Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School (Pre-K to 6th Grades)
Hugh J. Boyd Jr. Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 6-9 percent and Reading Proficiency between 20-24 percent.
3. Lakehurst Elementary School (Pre-K to 8th Grades)
Lakehurst Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at ≤5 percent and Reading Proficiency between 30-34 percent.
4. Ocean Charter School (Kindergarten to 6th Grades)
Ocean Charter School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 10-14 percent and Reading Proficiency between 20-24 percent.
5. Oak Street Elementary School (2nd to 5th Grades)
Oak Street Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 17 percent and Reading Proficiency at 21 percent.
6. Emma Havens Young Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
Emma Havens Young Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 11 percent and Reading Proficiency at 35 percent.
7. Ella G Clarke Elementary School (2nd to 5th Grades)
Ella G Clarke Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 17 percent and Reading Proficiency at 22 percent.
8. Bayville Elementary School (Pre-K to 4th Grades)
Bayville Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 10-14 percent and Reading Proficiency between 30-34 percent.
9. Lakewood Middle School (6th to 8th Grades)
Lakewood Middle School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 16 percent and Reading Proficiency at 30 percent.
10. Clara B. Worth Elementary School (Pre-K to 4th Grades)
Clara B. Worth Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 15-19 percent and Reading Proficiency between 25-29 percent.
11. Frog Pond Elementary School (3rd to 6th Grades)
Frog Pond Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 14 percent and Reading Proficiency at 33 percent.
12. Walnut Street Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
Walnut Street Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 14 percent and Reading Proficiency at 35 percent.
13. East Dover Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
East Dover Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 14 percent and Reading Proficiency at 36 percent.
14. West Dover Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
West Dover Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 10-14 percent and Reading Proficiency between 35-39 percent.
15. Tuckerton Elementary School (Pre-K to 6th Grades)
Tuckerton Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 10-14 percent and Reading Proficiency between 35-39 percent.
16. Osbornville Elementary School (Kindergarten to 5th Grades)
Osbornville Elementary School is in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency between 10-14 percent and Reading Proficiency between 35-39 percent.
17. Joseph A. Citta Elementary School (Pre-K to 5th Grades)
Joseph A. Citta Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50 percent, with Math Proficiency at 13 percent and Reading Proficiency at 38 percent.
If you are curious about New Jersey Communities that experienced a reduction in Property Taxes, you can explore the full list below to see if your city/town is included.
New Jersey Towns with Reduced Property Taxes in 2023
In 2023, property tax bills decreased in 44 municipalities across New Jersey. The rankings, based on data analyzed by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and New Jersey 101.5, range from the smallest to the largest percentage decrease.