Buzz Aldrin Middle School, Upper Montclair NJ

Original Research by School Decision on Buzz Aldrin Middle School

Buzz Aldrin Middle School serves grades six through eight in Upper Montclair, a primarily residential neighborhood within the larger township of Montclair. Its setting is walkable, with a distinct commercial district and multiple parks and nature reserves nearby. Part of Montclair State University’s campus lies in Upper Montclair, and NJ Transit rail stations give residents a direct connection to the region. The school itself is a regular public school within the Montclair Public School District.

Academically, Buzz Aldrin presents a mixed picture that varies by subject and grade. English language arts is a clear strength: across all three grades, the share of students scoring at proficient or above on the state assessment is solid, with the strongest result in sixth grade and still strong performance in seventh and eighth grades. Math results are more uneven. In sixth and seventh grades, a majority of students meet the proficiency bar. Eighth-grade math tells a different story—here the proficiency rate is very low. The number of eighth graders tested in math was small, so a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the context behind that figure. Science, tested only in eighth grade, shows that a modest share of students reach the state’s proficiency criteria for that subject.

When compared against other districts in Essex County, the school sits above the midpoint on an overall proficiency index that combines tested subjects and grades. That is a solid position, though it does not place the school among the very top in the county.

The student body is large enough to offer peer groups across a range of backgrounds. The enrollment draws a racially and ethnically diverse mix, with White students making up a bit over half and notable shares of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is modest, indicating a relatively low level of economic disadvantage compared to many New Jersey schools. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source material.

This school sits in a high-cost housing market. Home values in the area are well above the state average, and rents are correspondingly high. The neighborhood is established, with a mix of older homes, commercial amenities, and green space. The district itself has seen no major recent changes publicly reported that would alter a family’s decision.

Buzz Aldrin Middle School fits a family looking for a mid-sized middle school with strong English language arts outcomes and a generally above-average academic profile within a well-resourced, transit-connected suburban community. The soft spot in eighth-grade math warrants attention, and parents considering this school may want to ask about math instruction and support for that grade level. The school’s overall academic footing is solid, and the setting offers a blend of walkable residential streets, parks, and local businesses that many families find appealing.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 663%

School 63% · District 58% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▲ 29 pts above state median · ▲ 39 pts above county median

Grade 759%

School 59% · District 58% · ▲ 2 pts above district

▲ 25 pts above state median · ▲ 36 pts above county median

Grade 87%

School 7% · District 7%

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▼ 5 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 676%

School 76% · District 76%

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 26 pts above county median

Grade 770%

School 70% · District 75% · ▼ 6 pts below district

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 20 pts above county median

Grade 873%

School 73% · District 75% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▲ 15 pts above state median · ▲ 24 pts above county median

Science

Grade 824%

School 24% · District 28% · ▼ 4 pts below district

▲ 11 pts above state median · ▲ 19 pts above county median

This schoolMontclair Public School District, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income47%Higher-income82%35 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income32%Higher-income76%43 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income41%Higher-income78%37 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income20%Higher-income73%53 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income21%Higher-income66%45 pp gap