The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Cresskill Middle School
Cresskill Middle School serves sixth through eighth graders in a small, primarily residential Bergen County borough that is a suburb of New York City. The school is part of the Cresskill Public School District, which also operates two elementary schools and a combined middle-high school building; the middle school shares that campus. The borough itself has a quiet, small-town character with single-family homes, a borough hall, and a monument commemorating a World War I embarkation point, and its population is relatively affluent and largely homeowners. The school is integrated into the residential fabric rather than set on a large separated campus.
The student body is fairly diverse in racial and ethnic terms, with White students making up roughly half of enrollment and Asian students close to two-fifths. Black and Hispanic students each represent small shares. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, consistent with the area’s high housing costs and affluence. Enrollment is relatively stable, with each grade level numbering about the same.
On state assessments, the school shows a clear pattern. English language arts results are strong across all three grades. The large majority of students meet or exceed the proficiency benchmark in each grade, with particularly high performance in sixth grade. Math results are more variable. Sixth-grade math proficiency is solid, but it declines meaningfully in seventh grade and again in eighth grade, where the share of students scoring proficient or above is markedly lower. Science, tested only in eighth grade, shows a smaller share of students reaching the proficiency standard. Taken together, the school’s overall academic performance across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint relative to districts in Bergen County. This suggests that while reading and writing are clear strengths, math and science are areas where a parent may want to learn more about curriculum and support.
No program offerings data were available for this profile, so an account of electives, advanced coursework, or enrichment tracks cannot be given here. Because the school serves only middle grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data were also absent. The district has made a notable capital investment in facilities, with construction spending reported, though no specific recent curriculum or property-tax changes were identified.
Housing in Cresskill is very expensive. Typical home values are well above national and state benchmarks, and rents are high as well. The county housing market shows a moderate number of active listings and relatively fast sales, reflecting ongoing demand. The borough’s population has grown over the past two decades but appears to have plateaued recently, with little vacant land for new development.
Cresskill Middle School fits families who value a middle school with consistently strong reading results in a low-poverty, suburban setting. The math and science scores, particularly in the upper grades, are weaker and may warrant a closer look either from school staff or through supplemental support. The area’s high cost of housing means that access to this school is tied to a expensive real estate market.
See more original research from School Decision →