10 Best School Districts in NJ
- Millburn Township School District
- Northern Valley Regional School District
- Princeton Public School District
- West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
- Ridgewood Public School District
- Tenafly Public School District
- Livingston Public School District
- Summit Public School District
- Pascack Valley Regional District
- Mountain Lakes School District
1. Millburn Township School District
The best school district in New Jersey is the Millburn Township School District. It has a total of 4,796 students, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:13. This ratio ensures that students have valuable educational opportunities with their teachers, in addition to exceptional access to college prep resources, clubs, and extracurricular activities.
The school district has a phenomenally high graduation rate of 98%, and students average an SAT score of 1400 and an ACT score of 31.
Many students graduating from this school district attend top-rated colleges, such as New York University (NYU), Cornell University, and the University of Michigan. The school district spends $23,337 on each student compared to the national average of $12,239. In other words, Millburn Township School District contributes almost double the national average towards ensuring students get an excellent education.
2. Northern Valley Regional School District
Northern Valley Regional School District is also one of the best-rated public school districts in New Jersey. It has a total of 2,076 students in grade Pre-K through grade 12 with a teacher-student ratio of 1:10. Northern Valley Regional School District has an amazingly high graduation rate of 98%, with their students attending top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Penn State, Northeastern University, and Cornell University.
Students are heavily exposed to and encouraged to join the arts extracurricular programs they offer, from theatre to music activities. With high SAT and ACT scores, they also offer a wide set of electives and AP courses, creating well-educated and passionate students who want to help contribute to the community.
3. Princeton Public School District
Another one of the best public school districts in NJ is the Princeton Public School District. It has a total of 3,759 students from grade Pre-K to grade 12 with a teacher-student ratio of 1:11. Princeton Public School District has an average high school graduation rate of 94%, with many students attending top Ivy League colleges such as Princeton University (BU), Cornell University, Brown University, and Columbia University.
Princeton Public Schools offers dedicated faculty members, academic excellence, and diverse extracurricular activities such as their Varsity Fencing Team and the Music Department.
Princeton Public School District provides students and parents with passionate educators, administrative staff, and a sense of community.
4. West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is one of the best-rated public school districts in New Jersey. It has a total of 9,109 students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:13. West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District has a very high graduation rate of 98%, with many students attending top-tier colleges such as Princeton University, Cornell University, New York University (NYU), Carnie Mellon University, and the University of Pennsylvania. With its highly academically oriented environment, students strive to excel. The great support from West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District’s committed teachers and their academic programs encourage students to achieve academic success.
5. Ridgewood Public School District
Ridgewood Public School District is also one of the best-rated public school districts in New Jersey. It has a total of 5,604 students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:15. Ridgewood Public School District has a graduation rate of 99%. Many of the students attend top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Northeastern University, and Cornell University. Ridgewood High School’s motto is “A Tradition of Excellence.”
The district is renowned for its expansive academic curriculum that includes robotics, dance, student government, art history, physics, and engineering. The school district also provides students with the resources they need to help them navigate the college application process succesfully.
6. Tenafly Public School District
The Tenafly Public School District is another one of the best-rated public school districts in NJ. It has a total of 3,360 students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:12. Tenafly Public School District has a high school graduation rate of 97%, with many students attending top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Penn State, Northeastern University, Columbia University, and Cornell University.
Tenafly Public School District provides their academically ambitious students with rigorous courses, as well as activities outside of the classroom that further expand students' knowledge.
7. Livingston School District
Livingston School District is also one of the best-rated public school districts in NJ. It has a total of 2,076 students from grade Pre-K through grade 12. The teacher-student ratio is 1:10, and the high school graduation rate is 98%, with their students attending top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Penn State, Northeastern University, and Cornell University.
Students have access to stellar academic opportunities provided by the Livingston Board of Education that range from college fairs, a plethora of class options, qualified teachers, and resources that facilitate a dynamic learning environment. Courses such as personal finance, astronomy, natural disasters, debate, and public speech classes prepare students for college-level education. The academic excellence, diversity, and inclusivity offered within the Livingston Board of Education School District is extraordinary.
8. Summit Public School District
Summit Public School District is another excellent NJ school district. It has a total of 3,895 students, and the teacher-student ratio is 1:13. Summit Public School District has a very high graduation rate of 97%, with many students attending top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Penn State, Rutgers University New Brunswick, and Cornell University.
The academically balanced atmosphere provides students with access to athletic and educational programs that are tailored to students’ learning patterns. The school district even provides students with resources that even some private schools lack, such as college preparation and a rigorous curriculum that helps prepare students for future success.
9. Pascack Valley Regional District
Pascack Valley Regional District is one of the best-rated public school districts in New Jersey. It has a total of 1,867 students with a teacher-student ratio of 1:13. Pascack Valley Regional District has a top-tier graduation rate of 99%, with many students attending top-rated colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Penn State, Northeastern University, and the University of Delaware.
The Pascack Valley Regional District offers average salaries of $101,531 to educators, which helps to attract the best teachers. It also spends $35,080 per student, which is almost 3x than the national average. This investment helps guarantee top academic and athletic programs for students.
10. Mountain Lakes School District
Mountain Lakes School District is one of the best-rated public school districts located in New Jersey. It has a total of 1,318 students with a teacher-student ratio of 1:10. Mountain Lakes School District has a great graduation rate of 95%, with their students attending top-tier colleges such as Boston University (BU), New York University (NYU), Brown University, Northeastern University, and Cornell University.
Mountain Lakes School District gives their students an outstanding education by contributing $39,185 towards the education of each student and providing their teachers with an average salary of $104,825.
Mountain Lakes School District is known for its small community that provides personalized attention to each student, an inclusive environment, and strong student engagement.