Original Research by School Decision on Dumont High School
Dumont High School is the sole high school in the Dumont Public School District, serving the borough’s students in grades nine through twelve. The school sits within a densely built, compact Bergen County borough where residential neighborhoods, civic buildings, and the downtown commercial corridor along Washington Avenue are all within walking distance of much of the population. The high school itself is embedded in one of those residential neighborhoods rather than isolated on a separate campus, reflecting the borough’s traditional grid layout and small geographic footprint.
The student body reflects the community’s diversity. White students and Hispanic students each make up roughly two-fifths of enrollment, Asian students account for a substantial share, Black students a smaller portion, and a handful of students identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, or two or more races. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is relatively low, indicating that the school serves a predominantly middle-income population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the dataset, so a parent wanting to understand how those populations are supported would need to follow up with the school directly.
When it comes to academic performance, the available record is thin. State assessment results were not present in the data, nor was the school’s graduation rate, chronic absenteeism rate, or any multi-year trend information. The comparison that would normally place Dumont High School relative to other districts in Bergen County could not be run because those core metrics were missing. Without test scores or a graduation rate, it is not possible to characterize the school’s academic pathway from this dataset. A parent or resident investigating Dumont High School should consider asking the school or district for its most recent state report card, SAT participation and results, Advanced Placement or dual-enrollment offerings, and the four-year graduation rate. These are standard public data points that would give a much clearer picture of academic outcomes.
The community context is more fully documented. Dumont is a densely populated, largely built-out borough where most residents commute to jobs outside town. The housing market is expensive by national standards. Home values have risen steadily, and the median listing price in the broader Bergen County market is well above the national median. Rents are also high, and buying a home costs significantly more than renting on a monthly basis. The market is competitive, with homes typically going under contract in under a month. The borough’s population has grown modestly since the 2020 census, but with the town nearly fully developed, growth comes from infill and redevelopment rather than new subdivisions.
The district itself has no recent major changes—no referendums, curriculum overhauls, budget votes, or property tax shifts that cleared the bar for inclusion in the district brief. That stability may appeal to families who prefer consistency, though it also means there is no new momentum to report.
Dumont High School offers the setting of an established, walkable suburban borough with a diverse student body and a low share of students in poverty. What is missing from this picture is the academic record. A family trying to decide whether this school fits should seek out the achievement data and program information that were not available in this dataset. Until that information is obtained, the school’s peer environment and community context are the main dimensions a reader can evaluate with confidence.
See more original research from School Decision →