The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 10% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Belleville Middle School
Belleville Middle School serves seventh and eighth graders in the Belleville Public School District, a township in Essex County that has shifted from its industrial past into a densely populated residential community. The school is a regular public school, integrated into the township’s neighborhoods rather than isolated on a single campus, and is one of ten schools in the district.
The student body reflects the community it serves. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The largest group of students is Hispanic, with smaller shares of white, Asian, Black, and multiracial students, along with very small numbers of American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. Data on the share of students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how these populations are supported.
The school’s academic performance, as measured by state assessments, is a central topic for any family considering Belleville Middle School. In English language arts, the school’s results sit near the middle: roughly two in five students scored proficient or above in both seventh and eighth grade. In math, the picture is much softer, with a small share of seventh graders meeting the proficient mark and a very small share of eighth graders doing so. In eighth-grade science, the share reaching the proficient level was also low. Because the state’s proficiency criteria require students to reach the top performance levels, these numbers represent a high bar. Still, when measured against the district’s peers, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls in the bottom quartile relative to districts in Essex County. The gap between English language arts and math is wide, and a parent would want to understand what math interventions or supports are in place, as well as how the school addresses the challenge in science.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. No data was available on chronic absenteeism, course access, or staffing ratios. These are meaningful gaps. A family looking for information on advanced coursework, class sizes, or how many students are regularly absent will need to get that directly from the school.
The district context adds a layer of information. In early 2022, voters approved a bond referendum for facility improvements including roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, security enhancements, and ADA compliance projects across multiple buildings. That investment speaks to a district attending to its physical infrastructure, which can affect the daily learning environment. Housing values in the area are above the national benchmark but below the state benchmark. Rents have seen a slight decline, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is higher than the typical rent, so homeownership carries a premium relative to renting in the current market.
For a parent or resident, the location offers the practical benefits of a dense township with bus service and a nearby light rail connection at Silver Lake, as well as Branch Brook Park as a civic anchor. The school itself sits in a context where English language arts results are the relative bright spot, while math and science performance present clear challenges. A family whose child needs strong support in mathematics will want to investigate what the school offers. The absence of data on special populations, discipline, and course access means a prospective parent has homework to do before forming a full picture.
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