The top reported proficiency rate is 80% in English language arts. The lowest is 38% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Robert R Lazar Middle School
Robert R Lazar Middle School serves as the single public middle school for the Montville Township School District, drawing its roughly seven hundred students from the township’s three distinct sections: Montville, Pine Brook, and Towaco. The school covers grades six through eight and is a regular public school that does not operate as a charter or magnet. Its most distinctive feature is the combination of consistently strong academic results on state assessments with a student body that reflects the affluent, largely residential character of the community.
On the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, the school’s proficiency rates in English language arts are a clear strength. Across all three tested grades, a large majority of students score at proficient or advanced levels, and performance rises steadily from sixth to eighth grade. Math results are also solid overall, though there is a notable drop in eighth grade, where just over half of students meet the state’s proficiency bar. In science, the eighth-grade proficiency rate is lower still. Because New Jersey uses a different performance-level criteria for science (levels three and four versus four and five for math and ELA), direct comparison across subjects is limited, but a parent may want to discuss science instruction and alignment with the school. The school’s overall proficiency index places it in the top quarter of districts across Morris County, a strong signal of academic performance relative to neighboring communities.
The student population is predominantly white, with a substantial Asian presence and smaller shares of Hispanic, multiracial, Black, and Native American students. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch is very low, reflecting the high-income demographic of the area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available; families with children receiving special education services or language support may wish to inquire directly about these programs.
Montville itself is a primarily residential suburban township that has been nationally recognized as a desirable place to live. Home values are well above the national and state medians, and the housing market in Morris County shows strong demand with limited supply. The community is car-dependent; there is no walkable downtown, and the district’s seven school buildings are spread across the township on separate campuses. NJ Transit rail service is available at the Towaco station. The township has seen steady population growth in recent decades, and the district has not undergone any major referendums, budget votes, or curriculum changes reported in the last several years.
For middle school–aged students, Robert R Lazar Middle School offers a high-performing academic environment in an affluent suburban setting. The school’s math and ELA results are well above average for the county, though the lower eighth-grade math and science figures are worth exploring further. The absence of discipline, staffing, and attendance data means a parent cannot assess those dimensions from this profile alone. The school fits families who prioritize strong standardized test outcomes and value the resources that come with a high-tax-base community, while those concerned about the science dip or the lack of a centralized downtown school hub should seek additional information from the school directly.
See more original research from School Decision →