Best Public Schools in Old Tappan, NJ

The city of Old Tappan, New Jersey is home to three exceptional public schools: Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School, and Charles DeWolf Middle School. These schools, which serve students from preschool through 12th grade, have consistently ranked among the top in the state of New Jersey, providing a high-quality education to the community.

The standout school in Old Tappan appears to be Charles DeWolf Middle School, which has been ranked #12 out of 752 middle schools in the state for the 2024-2025 school year and maintains a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's exceptional test scores, with over 90% of 6th and 8th grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts and over 70% proficient or better in Mathematics, are a testament to the quality of education provided. Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan is also a standout, ranking in the top 50 high schools in New Jersey for the past 3 years and maintaining a 5-star rating, with a high 4-year graduation rate of 91.3% and a low dropout rate of 1.0%.

The schools in Old Tappan consistently outperform the state averages on standardized assessments, with high proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Additionally, the schools have low student-teacher ratios, ranging from 10.4 to 11.7, and relatively low free/reduced lunch rates, indicating a focus on providing personalized attention and resources to support student success. The strong academic performance and well-resourced nature of these schools suggest that the Northern Valley Regional High School District and Old Tappan Public School District are committed to delivering an exceptional education to the students of Old Tappan.