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Columbia Middle School

Q: Is Columbia Middle School a good school?

Columbia Middle School ranks 135 th of 752 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

135^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 752 New Jersey Middle Schools

Better than 82% of New Jersey middle schools

Summary

Columbia Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, which is part of the Berkeley Heights School District. With 536 students and a student-teacher ratio of around 10:1, the school consistently ranks among the top middle schools in New Jersey, with rankings ranging from 15th to 135th out of over 700 schools in recent years.

Columbia Middle School's students perform exceptionally well on the NJSLA (New Jersey Student Learning Assessments) exams, with proficiency rates significantly higher than the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, 86.7% of 6th graders, 75.2% of 7th graders, and 77.6% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 56.1%, 57%, and 57.1%, respectively. In mathematics, 69.3% of 6th graders, 61.7% of 7th graders, and 62% of 8th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state averages of 39.8%, 38.8%, and 38.2%. The school also excels in advanced math courses, with 100% of 7th and 8th graders proficient or better in Algebra I and Geometry.

When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield, Deerfield Elementary School in Mountainside, and Warren Middle School in Warren Township, Columbia Middle School stands out as a top performer, despite its relatively low spending per student ($10,202 in 2018-2019) compared to some of the higher-spending nearby districts.

523

Students ?

10.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,202

Per pupil spending ?

2.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

345 Plainfield Ave
Berkeley Hts, NJ 07922-1436

(908) 464-1600

District: Berkeley Heights School District

Students who attend Columbia Middle School usually attend:

High:

Governor Livingston High School

Feeder schools for Columbia Middle School:

Elementary:	Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center
	Mountain Park School
	Thomas P. Hughes School
	William Woodruff School

Racial breakdown:

White:

56.0%

Asian:

20.1%

Hispanic:

13.8%

See top rated New Jersey middle schools

Compare Columbia Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 98th percentile in 2021 → 82nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the New Jersey average (68% vs 46% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of New Jersey middle schools

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 98th-percentile peak (2021) to 82nd (2025)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school68%

District avg65%

New Jersey avg46%

135^th of 752

New Jersey public middle schools ?

Top 18%▲ up 6 pts since 2015

From top 24% (2015) to top 18% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New Jersey Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

108^th of 609Berkeley Heights School District among New Jersey districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	79.0	135 of 752	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	83.4	91 of 743	87.8%	★★★★☆
2023	85.7	73 of 748	90.2%	★★★★★
2022	86.4	67 of 745	91.0%	★★★★★
2021	96.3	15 of 652	97.7%	★★★★★
2019	81.2	114 of 745	84.7%	★★★★☆
2018	86.4	56 of 716	92.2%	★★★★★
2017	86.4	60 of 712	91.6%	★★★★★
2016	72.1	176 of 713	75.3%	★★★★☆
2015	70.2	171 of 713	76.0%	★★★★☆
2014	83.9	81 of 717	88.7%	★★★★☆
2013	85.1	60 of 704	91.5%	★★★★★
2012	88.3	23 of 677	96.6%	★★★★★
2011	86.4	37 of 684	94.6%	★★★★★
2010	84.9	66 of 677	90.3%	★★★★★
2009	84.7	51 of 664	92.3%	★★★★★
2008	84.0	61 of 640	90.5%	★★★★★
2007	82.8	62 of 631	90.2%	★★★★★
2006	83.8	72 of 615	88.3%	★★★★☆
2005	85.2	58 of 599	90.3%	★★★★★
2004	84.8	55 of 588	90.6%	★★★★★
2003	89.7	8 of 574	98.6%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	79.8	27 of 204	86.8%	★★★★☆
2024	80.4	32 of 200	84.0%	★★★★☆
2023	80.9	26 of 201	87.1%	★★★★☆
2022	83.8	18 of 200	91.0%	★★★★★
2019	81.2	20 of 199	89.9%	★★★★★
2018	81.3	15 of 200	92.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	88.8	56 of 728	92.3%	★★★★★
2024	87.0	73 of 717	89.8%	★★★★☆
2023	90.3	44 of 720	93.9%	★★★★★
2022	89.4	50 of 726	93.1%	★★★★★
2021	92.8	25 of 625	96.0%	★★★★★
2019	85.3	78 of 703	88.9%	★★★★☆
2018	89.5	37 of 680	94.6%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	88.9	39 of 608	93.6%	★★★★★
2024	92.4	18 of 589	96.9%	★★★★★
2023	91.5	26 of 587	95.6%	★★★★★
2022	95.3	13 of 591	97.8%	★★★★★
2021	97.2	8 of 480	98.3%	★★★★★
2019	78.0	73 of 524	86.1%	★★★★☆
2018	92.1	12 of 504	97.6%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	86.2	88 of 726	87.9%	★★★★☆
2024	90.7	55 of 719	92.4%	★★★★★
2023	93.1	31 of 718	95.7%	★★★★★
2022	93.5	34 of 730	95.3%	★★★★★
2021	97.7	4 of 635	99.4%	★★★★★
2019	85.8	78 of 697	88.8%	★★★★☆
2018	91.7	37 of 675	94.5%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	61.8	128 of 507	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	59.3	137 of 510	73.1%	★★★★☆
2023	77.1	52 of 505	89.7%	★★★★☆
2022	79.1	54 of 535	89.9%	★★★★★
2021	90.7	11 of 401	97.3%	★★★★★
2019	65.5	115 of 492	76.6%	★★★★☆
2018	72.4	84 of 471	82.2%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	71.8	116 of 502	76.9%	★★★★☆
2024	75.6	93 of 510	81.8%	★★★★☆
2023	83.5	49 of 509	90.4%	★★★★★
2022	81.1	67 of 512	86.9%	★★★★☆
2021	90.2	20 of 435	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	74.9	100 of 504	80.2%	★★★★☆
2018	83.8	42 of 497	91.5%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2025)94th percentile+12 vs school

Female (2025)92nd percentile+10 vs school

Male (2025)88th percentile+6 vs school

Asian (2025)87th percentile+5 vs school

White (2025)77th percentile-5 vs school

Special Education (2025)75th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs New Jersey (2024-2025) ?

Geometry100%+39 vs state

English Language Arts80%+23 vs state

Mathematics66%+27 vs state

Algebra I62%+15 vs state

Science39%+20 vs state

★

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Schools Near Columbia Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				NJSLA-S Science (2025)		NJSLA English Language Arts (2025)						NJSLA Mathematics (2025)						NJSLA Algebra I (2025)			NJSLA Geometry (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NJSLA-S Science 5th Grade	NJSLA-S Science 8th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 3rd Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 4th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 5th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 6th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 7th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 8th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 3rd Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 4th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 5th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 6th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 7th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 8th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I 7th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I 8th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I End of Course	NJSLA Geometry 8th Grade	NJSLA Geometry End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Columbia Middle School	Public	6-8	345 Plainfield Ave	Berkeley Hts	07922	Union County	Berkeley Heights School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 464-1600	523	52	10.0	2.7%	293 (56.0%)	13 (2.5%)	72 (13.8%)	105 (20.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.6%)	79	135^th of 752 public middle schools	82.0%		83.4	91^st of 743 public middle schools	87.8%	44		39.3				86.7	75.2	77.6				69.3	61.7		100.0	56.5	62.0	100.0	100.0	$10,202	$41	$10,161
New Providence Middle School	Public	7-8	35 Pioneer Drive	New Providence	07974	Union County	New Providence School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 464-9161	396	37	10.7	2.0%	219 (55.3%)	4 (1.0%)	55 (13.9%)	104 (26.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.5%)	92.6	22^nd of 752 public middle schools	97.1%		91	36^th of 743 public middle schools	95.2%	14		54.1					88.2	86.2					74.1	53.8		94.8	95.4	100.0	100.0	$9,397	$396	$9,001
Valley View School	Public	5-8	50 Valley View Road	Watchung	07069	Somerset County	Watchung Borough School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 755-4422	276	30	9.2	2.2%	133 (48.2%)	24 (8.7%)	43 (15.6%)	57 (20.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.9%)	84.6	87^th of 752 public middle schools	88.4%		85.3	79^th of 743 public middle schools	89.4%	8	56.1	37.9			72.0	73.5	75.8	72.7			70.8	69.6	60.4	40.5		100.0	100.0			$9,487		$9,487
Central Middle School	Public	6-8	90 Central Avenue	Stirling	07980	Morris County	Long Hill Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 647-2311	284	26	11.0	10.6%	204 (71.8%)	4 (1.4%)	45 (15.8%)	25 (8.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.1%)	83.4	95^th of 752 public middle schools	87.4%		77.3	143^rd of 743 public middle schools	80.8%	48		37.8				81.8	77.8	77.6				44.4	55.9	52.0		100.0	100.0			$9,645	$37	$9,608
Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School	Public	5-8	580 Park Avenue	Scotch Plains	07076	Union County	Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 322-4445	913	84	10.9	7.8%	477 (52.2%)	79 (8.7%)	188 (20.6%)	116 (12.7%)	4 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	47 (5.1%)	70.1	198^th of 752 public middle schools	73.7%		74.1	167^th of 743 public middle schools	77.5%	31	44.0	24.4			68.7	75.8	76.5	70.6			61.6	47.4	65.0	0.0		56.9	56.9			$8,253	$52	$8,201
Warren Middle School	Public	6-8	100 Old Stirling Road	Warren	07060	Somerset County	Warren Township School District	No	(n/a)	No	No	(908) 753-5300	547	59	9.2	7.7%	287 (52.5%)	20 (3.7%)	61 (11.2%)	140 (25.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (7.1%)	82.1	108^th of 752 public middle schools	85.6%		83.7	89^th of 743 public middle schools	88.0%	19		44.3				66.8	62.7	70.6				69.0	64.5	50.5		98.5	97.4			$13,671	$10	$13,661
North Plainfield Middle School	Public	7-8	34 Wilson Avenue	North Plainfield	07060	Somerset County	North Plainfield School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 769-6040	538	52	10.3	78.6%	37 (6.9%)	80 (14.9%)	399 (74.2%)	10 (1.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.9%)	18.7	620^th of 752 public middle schools	17.6%		19.2	608^th of 743 public middle schools	18.2%	12		4.1					36.8	28.6					12.3	10.6		83.3	83.3			$8,550	$03	$8,547
Somerset School	Public	5-6	303 Somerset Street	North Plainfield	07060	Somerset County	North Plainfield School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 769-6080	485	51	9.4	82.1%	26 (5.4%)	80 (16.5%)	364 (75.1%)	8 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)								(n/a)	10.9				26.9	32.7					21.2	17.2								$6,936	$34	$6,902
Maxson Middle School	Public	6-8	920 E Seventh St	Plainfield	07062	Union County	Plainfield Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 731-4310	721	78	9.2	76.7%	6 (0.8%)	106 (14.7%)	601 (83.4%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	12.7	678^th of 752 public middle schools	9.8%		12.3	683^rd of 743 public middle schools	8.1%	5		2.6				27.9	24.2	17.6				11.7	14.2	4.0		73.1	73.1			$9,328	$135	$9,193
Deerfield Elementary School	Public	3-8	302 Central Avenue	Mountainside	07092	Union County	Mountainside School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(908) 232-8828	483	45	10.7	2.9%	335 (69.4%)	4 (0.8%)	65 (13.5%)	42 (8.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	35 (7.2%)	83.9	92^nd of 752 public middle schools	87.8%		86.5	70^th of 743 public middle schools	90.6%	22	57.9	42.6	71.4	82.8	80.3	89.7	85.7	81.3	84.5	83.8	81.6	79.4	77.3		100.0	51.6	62.5	100.0	100.0	$8,613	$168	$8,445

Frequently Asked Questions about Columbia Middle School

Is Columbia Middle School a good school?

Columbia Middle School ranks 135^th of 752 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Columbia Middle School?

Students at Columbia Middle School are 56% White, 20% Asian, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 2% African American.

What district is Columbia Middle School in?

Berkeley Heights School District

How many students attend Columbia Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 523 students attended Columbia Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Columbia Middle School attend?

Students who attend Columbia Middle School usually go on to attend Governor Livingston High School

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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.