Best Public Schools in Dover, NJ

The city of Dover, New Jersey is home to 7 schools across two school districts - the Dover Public School District and the Rockaway Township School District. The schools include 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving students from pre-K through 12th grade.

The data reveals a stark contrast in academic performance between the two school districts. The Birchwood Elementary School and Dennis B O'Brien Elementary School in the Rockaway Township School District consistently outperform the state and district averages in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency, with Birchwood Elementary ranking among the top 459 elementary schools in New Jersey. In contrast, the North Dover Elementary School, Academy Street Elementary School, and other Dover Public School District schools generally underperform the state averages in these areas.

The disparities in academic performance may be linked to differences in funding and resources. The Rockaway Township School District schools have significantly higher per-student spending and lower student-teacher ratios compared to the Dover Public School District schools. Additionally, the Rockaway Township schools have a more diverse student population, while the Dover Public School District schools have a predominantly Hispanic student body, which is often associated with lower academic achievement. Addressing these systemic differences could be crucial in improving educational outcomes for all students in the city of Dover.