Mountainside School District

The Mountainside School District in New Jersey is home to two highly-rated schools: Deerfield Elementary School and Beechwood School. Deerfield Elementary stands out as a top-performing school, ranked 42nd out of 748 middle schools in the state and consistently earning 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger. With over 75% of students proficient or better in English and Math, Deerfield excels in advanced courses, boasting 100% proficiency in Algebra I and Geometry. In contrast, Beechwood School serves younger students from pre-K to 2nd grade, with a smaller enrollment and higher per-student spending compared to Deerfield.

While both schools serve diverse student populations, Deerfield has a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian students. Chronic absenteeism rates are low at both schools, with Deerfield at 4.5% and Beechwood at 6.1%. However, the funding disparity between the two schools, with Beechwood spending $10,222 per student compared to Deerfield's $8,613, may contribute to the differences in academic performance and resources available to students.

Overall, the Mountainside School District is home to high-performing schools, with Deerfield Elementary School standing out as a particularly strong performer. The district may benefit from examining potential funding and equity issues to ensure that all students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.