Morris County Library > Reference > School districts

There is no official rating or ranking (1..2..3) of NJ schools. The NJ Dept of Education offers many different data reports on districts.

• New Jersey mandates three very basic tests in all schools, in grades 4 (ESPA), 8 (GEPA) and 11 (HSPT, High School Proficiency Test). The Star Ledger newspaper provides ranking of these basic test performances (2004-2005 school year).
  School Report Cards provide information on each school's scores for these tests, on education of teachers, AP classes given and SAT scores in high schools, class sizes, etc.
  Star Ledger analysis of the School Report Cards (2003-04 school year), including Morris County high school SAT and HSPT scores
• Blue Ribbon Schools are named by the US Dept of Education. Districts nominate themselves for this honor.
• Best Practices/Star Schools is the recognition program of the NJ Dept of Education.
• Other teacher/schools awards programs in NJ.
• The Department also offers this overview, for parents, of public education in New Jersey and a directory of school officials, private and vocational schools in New Jersey. (Includes approved private schools for the disabled.)
• New Jersey United for Higher School Standards is a cross-disciplinary alliance devoted to discussion of educational standards in the state.
• NJ is part of Achieve, a group formed after the 2005 National Summit on High School, to improve high school standards/curricula.

  The magazine New Jersey Monthly picks what they think are the top high schools in the state. Be sure to check the introduction, because they have used a slightly different basis for comparison over the years.

  2008 high school list--see intro
  2006--September issue
  2004--top 75 High Schools (Entire state list can be purchased online. Library also has a copy.)
  2002--top 75 public high schools. See the September issue or entire list of schools at library reference desk.
  2000 --top 75 public high schools

  and 1999, private schools; 1997, ratings on quality and spending; 1996, 75 top high schools

  
  Nationally, Newsweek top 1,200 high schools (based on AP classes and IB program, only)

  Visit district web sites! or call the district and ask for a mailing of information. Find out if bonds for district expansion or improvement have been proposed recently. Did they fail or pass? What about those programs--art, music, athletics, special services--that might be important for your child's needs and skills?

  Drop us a note if we can help with Morris County information. Good luck with your choice and your move!

  Visit local life or go back to Reference

  
  Questions?

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  © Morris County Library 1997
  16 October 2007