Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 08852

The 08852 zip code in New Jersey is home to two middle schools, Crossroads South Middle School and Crossroads North Middle School, both part of the South Brunswick School District. While the district is ranked 144 out of 609 in New Jersey and has a 4-star rating, Crossroads South Middle School stands out as the higher-performing school in the area.

Crossroads South Middle School consistently outperforms Crossroads North Middle School and the state averages on the NJSLA assessments. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, 86.2% of 6th graders at Crossroads South were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 69.1% at Crossroads North and the state average of 56.1%. In math, 69.7% of 6th graders at Crossroads South were proficient or better, compared to 65.8% at Crossroads North and the state average of 39.8%. Additionally, Crossroads South has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 12.78%, compared to 14.88% at Crossroads North.

While the two schools have similar chronic absenteeism rates slightly above the state average, Crossroads South has a lower student-teacher ratio of 10.3, compared to 12 at Crossroads North. The spending per student is also relatively close, with Crossroads North spending slightly more at $12,082 compared to $11,946 at Crossroads South. These factors suggest that the superior performance at Crossroads South Middle School may be attributed to factors beyond just funding and staffing levels, such as instructional practices and curriculum.