📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NJSLA 2024–25), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
All 21 Rated Districts in Essex County, NJ
Sorted by rating, then state percentile
Best School Districts in Essex County, New Jersey (2026)
This page lists the 21 public school districts headquartered in Essex County, New Jersey that have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating, scored using NJSLA 2024–25 state assessment data. The county rank is simply their order here; the state percentile compares each district with every rated district in New Jersey, which is how the 1–10 rating is set. Ratings are not comparable with districts in other states.
Districts are placed in the county of their NCES directory listing. A district's boundaries can cross county lines, and a home in Essex County may be served by a district headquartered next door — search your address or zip code to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in Essex County, New Jersey? ▼
Among the 21 rated districts in Essex County, New Jersey, the highest-rated is Millburn Township School District (Millburn), rated 10/10 (Excellent) and in the 98th percentile of New Jersey districts on NJSLA 2024–25 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NJSLA 2024–25), percentile-ranked against all rated districts in New Jersey and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.