Central Middle School

Summary:

Central Middle School is a public middle school located in Stirling, New Jersey, serving 279 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Long Hill Township School District, which is ranked 135 out of 613 districts in New Jersey and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central Middle School consistently performs well on state assessments, with a high percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics across all grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 71.7% of 6th graders, 72.4% of 7th graders, and 72.4% of 8th graders were proficient or better in ELA, significantly higher than the state average of around 53%. The school also outperforms the state in Mathematics, with 45.2% of 6th graders, 44.8% of 7th graders, and 45.8% of 8th graders proficient or better, compared to the state averages of around 36-37%. Central Middle School's special education students also perform exceptionally well, ranking in the top 15% of all New Jersey middle schools in ELA and Mathematics.

When compared to nearby middle schools, Central Middle School stands out as a high-performing institution. For example, it consistently outperforms the North Plainfield Middle School, which has lower academic achievement and a higher percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Central Middle School also compares favorably to the Malcolm E. Nettingham Middle School and the New Providence Middle School, which are also strong-performing schools in the region.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 90 Central Avenue
       Stirling, NJ  07980


(908) 647-2311

District: Long Hill Township School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
143rd of 743 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,645 Help


Students who attend Central Middle School usually attend:

High:    Watchung Hills Regional High School

Feeder schools for Central Middle School:

Elementary:    Gillette Elementary School
    Millington Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.9 Help
Number of students:  281

Racial breakdown:

White:
69.8%
Hispanic:
17.1%
Asian:
10.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  8.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Central Middle School ranks better than 80.8% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 77.26. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (69.8%), Hispanic (17.1%), Asian (10%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 8.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 10.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Middle School employs 25.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Middle School is $9,645.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Middle School 143rd of 743 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Central Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Long Hill Township School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Long Hill Township School District 135th of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Central Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 85.28 57th 574 90.1%
2004 89.66 13th 588 97.8%
2005 85.78 53rd 599 91.2%
2006 84.80 60th 615 90.2%
2007 79.73 111th 631 82.4%
2008 80.32 106th 640 83.4%
2009 80.43 111th 664 83.3%
2010 85.26 60th 677 91.1%
2011 85.20 58th 684 91.5%
2012 86.93 42nd 677 93.8%
2013 85.20 57th 704 91.9%
2014 85.15 66th 717 90.8%
2015 63.26 232nd 713 67.5%
2016 75.39 143rd 713 79.9%
2017 84.60 77th 712 89.2%
2018 76.26 158th 716 77.9%
2019 82.11 100th 745 86.6%
2021 84.11 84th 652 87.1%
2022 81.94 105th 745 85.9%
2023 81.30 115th 748 84.6%
2024 77.26 143rd 743 80.8%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.67 82nd 471 82.6%
2019 63.28 123rd 492 75.0%
2021 48.06 173rd 401 56.9%
2022 73.83 72nd 535 86.5%
2023 69.32 76th 505 85.0%
2024 72.24 75th 510 85.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 72.78 180th 680 73.5%
2019 83.63 92nd 703 86.9%
2021 88.06 52nd 625 91.7%
2022 83.44 93rd 726 87.2%
2023 82.35 110th 720 84.7%
2024 84.38 98th 717 86.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.45 157th 675 76.7%
2019 76.95 156th 697 77.6%
2021 77.65 113th 635 82.2%
2022 79.31 132nd 730 81.9%
2023 78.97 130th 718 81.9%
2024 67.39 198th 719 72.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 83.65 16th 201 92.0%
2024 91.43 2nd 200 99.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 76.50 62nd 480 87.1%
2022 64.65 142nd 591 76.0%
2023 59.99 183rd 587 68.8%
2024 66.49 139th 589 76.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Central Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.89 168th 497 66.2%
2019 70.30 126th 504 75.0%
2021 72.85 78th 435 82.1%
2022 76.55 92nd 512 82.0%
2023 73.68 106th 509 79.2%
2024 64.95 158th 510 69.0%
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.

Central 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 Central 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 239 0 19 5 0 n/a n/a 0 263
1989 230 0 16 5 0 n/a n/a 0 251
1990 250 0 10 5 0 n/a n/a 0 265
1991 227 1 25 0 0 n/a n/a 0 253
1992 254 2 14 1 0 n/a n/a 0 271
1993 238 1 26 4 0 n/a n/a 0 269
1994 247 1 27 3 0 n/a n/a 0 278
1995 274 1 20 6 2 n/a n/a 0 303
1996 274 1 20 6 2 n/a n/a 0 303
1998 223 0 14 6 0 n/a n/a 0 243
1999 214 1 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 231
2000 249 1 14 4 0 n/a n/a 0 268
2001 266 0 18 5 0 n/a n/a 0 289
2002 280 2 31 9 0 n/a n/a 0 322
2003 280 2 31 9 0 n/a n/a 0 322
2004 289 5 31 12 0 n/a n/a 0 337
2005 310 5 24 17 0 n/a n/a 0 356
2006 309 6 23 19 0 n/a n/a 0 357
2007 305 4 21 29 0 n/a n/a 0 359
2008 326 5 24 25 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2009 313 4 23 29 0 0 0 0 369
2010 326 4 28 20 0 1 1 0 380
2011 288 4 27 25 0 1 0 0 345
2012 297 3 29 21 0 1 1 0 352
2013 286 1 21 15 1 0 3 0 327
2014 287 1 23 23 1 2 5 0 342
2015 259 2 20 26 1 3 3 0 314
2016 230 3 31 28 0 4 2 0 298
2017 213 1 22 26 0 2 1 0 265
2018 219 1 23 26 0 1 1 0 271
2019 204 1 15 29 0 0 6 0 255
2020 209 2 17 36 0 0 5 0 269
2021 187 3 22 43 0 1 5 0 261
2022 199 3 22 42 0 1 3 0 270
2023 195 2 27 49 0 1 5 0 279
2024 196 2 28 48 0 0 7 0 281

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 Central Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 263 23.0 11.4 n/a
1989 251 23.0 10.9 n/a
1990 265 22.0 12.0 0.8
1991 253 22.0 11.5 0
1992 271 22.0 12.3 n/a
1993 269 23.1 11.6 1.1
1994 278 22.8 12.2 1.4
1995 303 25.0 12.1 0.3
1996 303 25.0 12.1 0.3
1998 243 23.5 10.3 n/a
1999 231 24.0 9.6 n/a
2000 268 25.2 10.6 0.4
2001 289 25.5 11.3 0.3
2002 322 28.0 11.5 0
2003 322 28.0 11.5 0
2004 337 29.9 11.3 0
2005 356 28.4 12.5 n/a
2006 357 29.0 12.3 0.6
2007 359 28.0 12.8 1.1
2008 380 23.0 16.5 0.8
2009 369 28.8 11.9 0.5
2010 380 22.0 17.2 1.6
2011 345 21.5 16.0 1.2
2012 352 29.1 12.0 2.3
2013 327 31.7 10.2 1.5
2014 342 29.7 11.4 1.2
2015 314 28.0 11.2 1.9
2016 298 29.0 10.2 2.3
2017 265 29.7 8.9 0
2018 271 29.2 9.2 2.6
2019 255 27.6 9.2 3.5
2020 269 27.6 9.7 1.5
2021 261 22.6 11.5 3.8
2022 270 22.6 11.9 3.7
2023 279 25.2 11.0 7.5
2024 281 25.6 10.9 8.2

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 Central Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 263 23.0 11.4 n/a
1989 251 23.0 10.9 n/a
1990 265 22.0 12.0 0.8
1991 253 22.0 11.5 0
1992 271 22.0 12.3 n/a
1993 269 23.1 11.6 1.1
1994 278 22.8 12.2 1.4
1995 303 25.0 12.1 0.3
1996 303 25.0 12.1 0.3
1998 243 23.5 10.3 n/a
1999 231 24.0 9.6 n/a
2000 268 25.2 10.6 0.4
2001 289 25.5 11.3 0.3
2002 322 28.0 11.5 0
2003 322 28.0 11.5 0
2004 337 29.9 11.3 0
2005 356 28.4 12.5 n/a
2006 357 29.0 12.3 0.6
2007 359 28.0 12.8 1.1
2008 380 23.0 16.5 0.8
2009 369 28.8 11.9 0.5
2010 380 22.0 17.2 1.6
2011 345 21.5 16.0 1.2
2012 352 29.1 12.0 2.3
2013 327 31.7 10.2 1.5
2014 342 29.7 11.4 1.2
2015 314 28.0 11.2 1.9
2016 298 29.0 10.2 2.3
2017 265 29.7 8.9 0
2018 271 29.2 9.2 2.6
2019 255 27.6 9.2 3.5
2020 269 27.6 9.7 1.5
2021 261 22.6 11.5 3.8
2022 270 22.6 11.9 3.7
2023 279 25.2 11.0 7.5
2024 281 25.6 10.9 8.2

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 Central Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $37 (0.4%) $9,608 (99.6%) $9,645

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Central 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 100th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 115th of 748 Middle schools
 2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Central Middle School)69.961.3
 8.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Long Hill Township School District)69.961.3
 8.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Central Middle School)54.831.6
 23.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Long Hill Township School District)54.831.6
 23.2%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Central Middle School)7874.4
 3.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Long Hill Township School District)7874.4
 3.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Central Middle School)5660.8
 4.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Long Hill Township School District)5660.8
 4.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Central Middle School)98.586.9
 11.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Long Hill Township School District)98.586.9
 11.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Central Middle School)77.343.8
 33.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Long Hill Township School District)77.343.8
 33.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Central Middle School)10094.7
 5.3%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Long Hill Township School District)10094.7
 5.3%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Central Middle School)10095.5
 4.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Long Hill Township School District)10095.5
 4.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students255279
 9.4%
African American12
 100%
American Indian00
Asian1527
 80%
Hispanic2949
 69%
Pacific Islander01
White204195
 4.4%
Two or More Races65
 16.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients3.5%7.5%
 4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Middle School

Students who attend Central Middle School usually go on to attend Watchung Hills Regional High School

Central Middle School ranks 143rd of 743 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 281 students attended Central Middle School.

Students at Central Middle School are 70% White, 17% Hispanic, 10% Asian, 2% Two or more races.


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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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