The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Martin J. Ryerson School
Martin J. Ryerson School serves as the single public middle school for grades six through eight in Ringwood, a primarily residential borough set in the Ramapo Mountains of Passaic County. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and is part of the Ringwood School District. Because it only covers the middle grades, there is no graduation rate or high school chronic absenteeism data to consider; the academic picture comes entirely from state assessment results.
The school’s enrollment includes a substantial majority of white students, with Hispanic students forming the next largest group. A modest share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school does not appear to operate under Title I. The overall student body is small enough for the building to feel manageable, and the grade-level cohorts are balanced across the three years.
Academically, Ryerson’s performance on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments shows a clear split between subjects. English language arts results are stronger across grades six, seven, and eight, with the highest proficiency seen in seventh grade. Math proficiency is lower, particularly in eighth grade, where it trails the earlier grades. Science, tested only in eighth grade, is the weakest area, with a proficiency rate well below the other subjects. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, stands above the midpoint when compared to other districts in Passaic County. That is a solid position, but the soft spot in math and science suggests that families whose children need strong STEM preparation may want to ask the school about its curriculum and intervention supports in those areas.
Ringwood itself is a car-dependent community spread over mountainous terrain, with lake communities, state parks, and forest trails defining much of its character. There is no traditional walkable downtown; civic buildings and schools are dispersed across the borough’s large land area. The population has been slowly declining over the long term, though recent estimates show a slight rebound. Developable land is limited by extensive park and watershed protections, so large-scale new housing is unlikely. The housing market reflects the borough’s desirability as a commuter bedroom community, with home values above the national median. For families moving into the area, the school draws from a relatively stable and affluent tax base.
The Ringwood School District approved a budget increase and a property tax increase for the 2024-25 school year, driven largely by special education, transportation, and staff healthcare costs. A long-range facilities plan approved by the state projects modest enrollment growth through the end of the decade, but no new school construction is anticipated; the district’s current buildings are seen as adequate for the projected numbers. That suggests the middle school is unlikely to face overcrowding in the near term.
For a family considering Ryerson, the academic picture is one of a middle school that performs above the county average in reading and writing while math and science are areas to watch. The peer environment is relatively homogeneous economically and racially, which may suit some families and give others pause. The school and district are financially stable, the community is settled, and the natural surroundings are a clear amenity. A parent who values strong ELA outcomes and a small, community-anchored middle school in a quiet suburban setting will find Ryerson a reasonable fit. A parent concerned about math and science outcomes, or who wants greater diversity in the student body, will want to explore further.
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