Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Ocean County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public middle schools serving 13,781 students in Ocean County, NJ.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Ocean County, NJ are Memorial Middle School, G. Harold Antrim Elementary School and Bay Head Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ocean County, NJ public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the New Jersey public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 48% statewide average). Middle schools in Ocean County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of New Jersey public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public middle school average of 69% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Ocean County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Memorial Middle School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
808 Laura Herbert Dr
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 701-1900
Gr: 6-8 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
G. Harold Antrim Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
401 Niblick Street
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 899-3737
Gr: PK-8 | 302 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Bay Head Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
145 Grove Street
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
(732) 892-0668
Gr: K-8 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #44.
Lavallette Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
105 Brooklyn Ave.
Lavallette, NJ 08735
(732) 793-7722
Gr: PK-8 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #55.
Carl W. Goetz Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
835 Patterson Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4610
Gr: 6-8 | 978 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #66.
New Egypt High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
117 Evergreen Road
New Egypt, NJ 08533
(609) 758-6800
Gr: 7-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #77.
Southern Regional Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
75 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 597-9481
Gr: 7-8 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Lake Riviera Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
171 Beaverson Boulevard
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 785-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 893 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #99.
Lacey Township Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
660 Denton Avenue
Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 242-2100
Gr: 6-8 | 819 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1010.
Toms River Intermediate School East
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1519 Hooper Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5777
Gr: 6-8 | 1,271 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1111.
Russell O. Brackman Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Barnegat Blvd North
Barnegat, NJ 08005
(609) 698-5880
Gr: 7-8 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1212.
Christa Mcauliffe Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
35 South Hope Chapel Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 833-4701
Gr: 6-8 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1313.
Central Regional Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
509 Forest Hills Parkway
Bayville, NJ 08721
(732) 269-1100
Gr: 7-8 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1414.
Manchester Township Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2759 Ridgeway Rd
Manchester Township, NJ 08759
(732) 657-1717
Gr: 6-8 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1515.
Toms River Intermediate School North
(Math: 25% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Intermediate North Way
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-5800
Gr: 6-8 | 970 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1616.
Veterans Memorial Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
105 Hendrickson Avenue
Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 785-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 865 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
Toms River Intermediate School South
(Math: 23% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1675 Pinewald Road
Beachwood, NJ 08722
(732) 505-3900
Gr: 6-8 | 1,044 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1818.
Pinelands Regional Jr. High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
590 Nugentown Road
Tuckerton, NJ 08087
(609) 296-3106
Gr: 7-8 | 500 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1919.
Ocean Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1650 Massachusetts Ave.
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 987-6525
Gr: K-9 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2020.
Lakewood Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
755 Somerset Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 905-3600
Gr: 7-8 | 574 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
Lakehurst Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Union Ave
Lakehurst, NJ 08733
(732) 657-5741
Gr: PK-8 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
Manchester Regional Day School
Special Education School
890 Toms River Road
Jackson, NJ 08527
(732) 928-1500
Gr: PK-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
Ocean Co Jdc
Alternative School
165 Sunset Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08754
(732) 341-1365
Gr: 8-11
Rank: n/an/a
Ocean Regional School
Alternative School
1141 Old Freehold Rd
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 505-4180
Gr: 1-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Ocean County, NJ?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Ocean County, NJ include Memorial Middle School, G. Harold Antrim Elementary School and Bay Head Elementary School.
How many public middle schools are located in Ocean County?
24 public middle schools are located in Ocean County.
What is the racial composition of students in Ocean County?
Ocean County public middle schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the New Jersey public middle schools average of 69% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Ocean County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NJ):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
Should Sixth Grade Be in Elementary School or Middle School?
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools

More Articles

Parenting and Learning Issues
Public School Policies
Local School Topics
Evaluating Public Schools
About Public Schools