The top reported proficiency rate is 32% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Middlesex County Stem Charter School
Middlesex County STEM Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school in New Jersey that serves kindergarten through eighth grade, with plans to expand into high school. The school is currently listed as serving kindergarten through eighth grade in state records, but its own website reports that it now serves through ninth grade and will add tenth grade in the near future. This expansion gives families in the area a longer STEM-focused pathway within a single school, a change that matters for anyone planning a child’s full K-12 education.
The school draws a student body that is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial share of Black students and smaller numbers of white, Asian, and multiracial students. The enrollment is moderate for a charter serving these grade levels. The school does not report the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nor does it report the share of students with disabilities or English learners, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports available for those populations.
State testing results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments show a mixed picture. In English language arts, the school’s strongest performance comes in grades six and seven, where a solid share of students meet the state’s proficiency standard. Fourth grade also shows a reasonable proficiency rate. Third, fifth, and eighth grade ELA results are lower, with eighth grade being particularly weak. In math, the pattern is more uneven. Fourth grade stands out with a majority of students scoring proficient, but the other grades show much lower proficiency rates, and by eighth grade the share of students meeting the bar is very small. Science results are also low, with fifth grade showing a small share of students proficient and eighth grade showing none. A parent considering this school may want to ask how the school supports students who arrive below grade level in math and science, and how it prepares students for the transition to high school-level STEM coursework.
The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among Middlesex County’s districts. The chronic absenteeism rate is above the midpoint for the county, meaning a higher share of students miss a substantial number of school days than in many neighboring districts. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range compared to other districts in the county, which may reflect the charter’s funding model rather than a lack of resources.
The school does not serve high school grades yet, so there is no graduation rate to report. The expansion to include high school is a publicly reported change, and the school’s website states it will serve through tenth grade in the near future. This means families who enroll a child now can expect the school to grow with them, at least through the early high school years.
The school’s name signals a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math, but the state test results in math and science are areas where a parent would want to understand the school’s approach. The strongest academic results are in fourth-grade math and in middle school English language arts, which suggests some bright spots. The overall proficiency index, however, is in the bottom quarter of Middlesex County districts, and the chronic absenteeism rate is above the county midpoint. A family considering this school should weigh the STEM focus and the growing grade span against the academic performance data and ask the school how it plans to address the areas where students are struggling.
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