Best Public Schools in Wanaque, NJ

The city of Wanaque, New Jersey is home to two schools: Lakeland Regional High School and Wanaque Elementary School. Lakeland Regional High School serves grades 9-12 and is part of the Lakeland Regional High School District, while Wanaque Elementary School serves grades K-8 and is part of the Wanaque School District.

Lakeland Regional High School is a standout, ranking in the top 40% of New Jersey high schools and maintaining a strong 91.3% four-year graduation rate. The school performs above the state average in key test score metrics, including 88.9% proficiency in 11th grade English Language Arts and 63.7% proficiency in 11th grade Mathematics. In contrast, Wanaque Elementary School excels in English Language Arts proficiency across multiple grade levels, with standout results in 8th grade (81.5% proficient) and 4th grade (69% proficient). The elementary school also demonstrates strong Mathematics proficiency, particularly in 3rd grade (59% proficient) and 6th grade (57.6% proficient).

Both schools have a higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to the state average, which could be an area for further investigation and improvement. Additionally, the difference in free and reduced lunch rates between the two schools suggests potential socioeconomic disparities within the Wanaque community, which may impact educational outcomes. The higher spending per student at Lakeland Regional High School compared to Wanaque Elementary School could indicate differences in resource allocation and funding priorities between the high school and elementary school levels.