Black River Middle School

Summary:

Black River Middle School is a public middle school located in Chester, New Jersey, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 345 students. The school is part of the Chester Township School District, which is ranked 94 out of 615 districts in New Jersey and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Black River Middle School consistently performs exceptionally well on state assessments, with a high percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. In the 2022-2023 school year, the school's ELA proficiency rates ranged from 69.6% to 81.8% across grades 6-8, significantly higher than the state averages of 49% to 55.7%. Similarly, the school's Mathematics proficiency rates ranged from 45.1% to 66.1%, also outperforming the state averages of 17.8% to 34.3%. The school has also maintained a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 2.7% to 9.5% over the past several years, which is lower than the state average.

When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Mendham Township Middle School and Mountain View School, Black River Middle School stands out as a high-performing institution, with a consistent 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, the school's demographic composition, with a majority White student population, raises questions about the diversity and inclusion within the school community. It is essential to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 133 Rt. 513 - North Road
       Chester, NJ  07930


(908) 879-6363

District: Chester Township School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
52nd of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,856 Help


Students who attend Black River Middle School usually attend:

High:    West Morris Mendham High School

Feeder schools for Black River Middle School:

Elementary:    Bragg Elementary School
    Dickerson Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.8 Help
Number of students:  345

Racial breakdown:

White:
74.8%
Hispanic:
12.8%
Asian:
7.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  3.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Black River Middle School ranks better than 93% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 88.51. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (74.8%), Hispanic (12.8%), Asian (7.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 3.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Black River Middle School is 9.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Black River Middle School employs 35 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Black River Middle School is $11,856.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Black River Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Black River Middle School 52nd of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Black River Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Chester Township School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Chester Township School District 94th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Black River Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 89.71 7th 574 98.8%
2004 87.19 33rd 588 94.4%
2005 87.45 27th 599 95.5%
2006 86.80 29th 615 95.3%
2007 85.69 25th 631 96.0%
2008 85.62 35th 640 94.5%
2009 87.08 25th 664 96.2%
2010 86.40 41st 677 93.9%
2011 84.30 74th 684 89.2%
2012 86.95 41st 677 93.9%
2013 88.83 22nd 704 96.9%
2014 88.11 21st 717 97.1%
2015 86.18 50th 713 93.0%
2016 81.49 85th 713 88.1%
2017 87.05 55th 712 92.3%
2018 83.68 78th 716 89.1%
2019 81.53 110th 745 85.2%
2021 91.48 41st 652 93.7%
2022 84.79 79th 745 89.4%
2023 88.51 52nd 748 93.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.91 66th 471 86.0%
2019 72.84 88th 492 82.1%
2021 86.35 21st 401 94.8%
2022 64.13 117th 535 78.1%
2023 82.71 39th 505 92.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.43 93rd 680 86.3%
2019 85.71 75th 703 89.3%
2021 86.37 58th 625 90.7%
2022 82.97 97th 726 86.6%
2023 85.88 83rd 720 88.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.78 86th 675 87.3%
2019 81.47 117th 697 83.2%
2021 90.96 41st 635 93.5%
2022 84.70 90th 730 87.7%
2023 90.65 50th 718 93.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.16 117th 504 76.8%
2019 51.38 243rd 524 53.6%
2021 72.43 77th 480 84.0%
2022 74.48 91st 591 84.6%
2023 72.87 103rd 587 82.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Black River Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.72 47th 497 90.5%
2019 78.14 73rd 504 85.5%
2021 89.03 27th 435 93.8%
2022 81.62 64th 512 87.5%
2023 84.12 40th 509 92.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Black River Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Black River Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 257 1 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 263
1989 255 2 7 0 0 n/a n/a 0 264
1990 269 4 11 0 0 n/a n/a 0 284
1991 271 4 10 0 0 n/a n/a 0 285
1992 289 4 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 302
1993 273 5 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 287
1994 265 2 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 277
1995 299 0 15 7 0 n/a n/a 0 321
1996 299 0 15 7 0 n/a n/a 0 321
1998 311 0 11 7 0 n/a n/a 0 329
1999 340 3 12 12 0 n/a n/a 0 367
2000 365 1 9 6 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2001 399 2 9 4 0 n/a n/a 0 414
2002 412 3 11 5 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2003 412 3 11 5 0 n/a n/a 0 431
2004 405 3 12 4 0 n/a n/a 0 424
2005 418 4 16 8 0 n/a n/a 0 446
2006 422 2 11 10 0 n/a n/a 0 445
2007 459 7 10 10 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2008 467 4 14 13 0 n/a n/a 0 498
2009 451 4 14 22 0 13 0 0 504
2010 445 7 20 22 2 3 0 0 499
2011 459 5 24 23 0 8 0 0 519
2012 457 10 29 28 0 2 3 0 529
2013 404 6 26 35 1 1 1 0 474
2014 393 2 13 46 1 2 1 0 458
2015 395 3 29 27 1 3 6 0 464
2016 393 5 23 29 0 3 5 0 458
2017 377 8 24 30 0 1 5 0 445
2018 321 7 15 41 0 1 2 0 387
2019 321 3 22 43 0 3 1 0 393
2020 336 3 25 45 0 0 3 0 412
2021 324 1 20 52 0 0 5 0 402
2022 283 2 23 45 0 0 10 0 363
2023 258 5 27 44 0 1 10 0 345

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Black River Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 263 20.0 13.1 n/a
1989 264 21.0 12.5 n/a
1990 284 24.0 11.8 0.7
1991 285 25.0 11.4 0.7
1992 302 24.0 12.5 0.3
1993 287 24.0 12.0 0
1994 277 24.4 11.4 0.7
1995 321 25.6 12.5 1.6
1996 321 25.6 12.5 1.6
1998 329 27.5 12.0 0.9
1999 367 30.0 12.2 1.1
2000 381 32.0 11.9 1.6
2001 414 32.3 12.8 1
2002 431 40.1 10.7 1.6
2003 431 40.1 10.7 1.6
2004 424 38.6 11.0 1.2
2005 446 40.4 11.0 n/a
2006 445 39.4 11.3 1.6
2007 487 41.2 11.8 0.6
2008 498 40.0 12.5 1
2009 504 37.2 11.7 2.2
2010 499 32.0 15.5 3.2
2011 519 30.6 16.9 4.2
2012 529 40.8 12.9 4.9
2013 474 40.5 11.6 6.5
2014 458 41.5 11.0 3.5
2015 464 40.0 11.6 4.3
2016 458 42.0 10.9 5.2
2017 445 42.0 10.5 5.6
2018 387 39.0 9.9 5.4
2019 393 38.1 10.3 5.9
2020 412 37.1 11.0 4.1
2021 402 35.5 11.3 3.2
2022 363 37.5 9.6 3.9
2023 345 35.0 9.8 3.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Black River Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 263 20.0 13.1 n/a
1989 264 21.0 12.5 n/a
1990 284 24.0 11.8 0.7
1991 285 25.0 11.4 0.7
1992 302 24.0 12.5 0.3
1993 287 24.0 12.0 0
1994 277 24.4 11.4 0.7
1995 321 25.6 12.5 1.6
1996 321 25.6 12.5 1.6
1998 329 27.5 12.0 0.9
1999 367 30.0 12.2 1.1
2000 381 32.0 11.9 1.6
2001 414 32.3 12.8 1
2002 431 40.1 10.7 1.6
2003 431 40.1 10.7 1.6
2004 424 38.6 11.0 1.2
2005 446 40.4 11.0 n/a
2006 445 39.4 11.3 1.6
2007 487 41.2 11.8 0.6
2008 498 40.0 12.5 1
2009 504 37.2 11.7 2.2
2010 499 32.0 15.5 3.2
2011 519 30.6 16.9 4.2
2012 529 40.8 12.9 4.9
2013 474 40.5 11.6 6.5
2014 458 41.5 11.0 3.5
2015 464 40.0 11.6 4.3
2016 458 42.0 10.9 5.2
2017 445 42.0 10.5 5.6
2018 387 39.0 9.9 5.4
2019 393 38.1 10.3 5.9
2020 412 37.1 11.0 4.1
2021 402 35.5 11.3 3.2
2022 363 37.5 9.6 3.9
2023 345 35.0 9.8 3.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Black River Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $160 (1.3%) $11,696 (98.7%) $11,856

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Black River Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 110th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 52nd of 748 Middle schools
 7.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Black River Middle School)74.675
 0.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Chester Township School District)74.675
 0.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Black River Middle School)69.566.1
 3.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Chester Township School District)69.566.1
 3.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Black River Middle School)80.269.6
 10.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Chester Township School District)80.269.6
 10.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Black River Middle School)64.353.4
 10.9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Chester Township School District)64.353.4
 10.9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
7th Grade Algebra I (Black River Middle School)100100
   7th Grade Algebra I (Chester Township School District)100100
   7th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)9589.4
 5.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Black River Middle School)8281.8
 0.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Chester Township School District)8281.8
 0.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Black River Middle School)36.545.1
 8.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Chester Township School District)36.545.1
 8.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Black River Middle School)88.7100
 11.3%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Chester Township School District)88.7100
 11.3%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
8th Grade Geometry (Black River Middle School)100100
   8th Grade Geometry (Chester Township School District)100100
   8th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)93.480.8
 12.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Black River Middle School)91.8100
 8.2%
   End of Course Algebra I (Chester Township School District)91.8100
 8.2%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Black River Middle School)100100
   End of Course Geometry (Chester Township School District)100100
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students393345
 12.2%
African American35
 66.7%
American Indian00
Asian2227
 22.7%
Hispanic4344
 2.3%
Pacific Islander31
 66.7%
White321258
 19.6%
Two or More Races110
 900%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients5.9%3.2%
 2.7%


Schools Near Black River Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Black River Middle School

Students at Black River Middle School are 75% White, 13% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 345 students attended Black River Middle School.

Yes. Black River Middle School ranks in the top 7.0% of New Jersey middle schools.

Students who attend Black River Middle School usually go on to attend West Morris Mendham High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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