The top reported proficiency rate is 79% in English language arts. The lowest is 47% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Eric S. Smith Middle School
Eric S. Smith Middle School is the sole public middle school in Ramsey, New Jersey, serving students in sixth through eighth grades. It sits within the Ramsey School District, a system that draws from a single suburban borough in Bergen County, about twenty-six miles from Midtown Manhattan. The school is classified as a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation.
Academically, Smith Middle School posts strong results on the state’s NJSLA assessments, particularly in English language arts. Across all three middle grades, a large majority of students meet or exceed the proficiency benchmark, with performance that is consistent and high. In math, the picture is more varied. Sixth and seventh graders show solid proficiency, with well over half of students scoring at proficient or advanced levels. By eighth grade, however, that share drops markedly; a smaller proportion of students reach the same bar. Science results, tested in grade eight, also fall below the district’s ELA performance, with fewer than half of students scoring at proficient levels. When measured as an overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades, the school sits above the midpoint among school districts in Bergen County. A parent may want to ask the school about the dip in eighth-grade math and how the curriculum supports students as they prepare for high school coursework.
The school’s enrollment is several hundred students, distributed roughly evenly across the three grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Hispanic and Asian students, and a very modest percentage of Black and multiracial students. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is quite low, reflecting the community’s overall affluence. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the records reviewed, so a parent should confirm those supports directly with the school. There is no reported information on discipline, staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, or course access, all of which could be relevant for families choosing a middle school.
Ramsey itself is a mature, primarily residential borough that is largely built out, with limited room for new development. The borough has a traditional downtown anchored by the historic Main Street train station, a year-round farmers market, and a public library. Housing values are high, and the population is well-educated, with a large share of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income is far above national norms, and the homeownership rate is high. Commute times are typical for the suburban New York region, with two train stations and bus service providing access to the city. No recent large-scale district changes, such as referendums or major budget shifts, were identified from the past several years, so the district appears to have been operating on a stable course.
For a parent weighing this school, the strengths are clear: strong ELA outcomes, a consistently above-average academic profile relative to other Bergen County districts, and a community context that provides considerable resources and parental involvement. The softer spots center on the decline in eighth-grade math proficiency and the relatively low science attainment, both areas that might deserve a closer look. The student population is economically and racially homogeneous, which may or may not align with a family’s preferences. The school serves its full cohort of local students with no admissions screen, so the peer group reflects the community itself. A family moving to Ramsey will find a middle school that delivers reliably high results in core academics, with a couple of specific areas that reward follow-up.
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