- Central Regional High School — 4.8 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,489 students
- Central Regional Middle School — 5.1 mi · Grades 7–8 · 680 students
| Metric | Central Regional School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 2,344 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $23,940/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 36% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 3/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Regional School District (this district) | 3/10 | 25th | 2,344 |
| Toms River Regional School District | 3/10 | 29th | 14,594 |
| Berkeley Township School District | 4/10 | 38th | 2,437 |
| Lacey Township School District | 5/10 | 40th | 3,832 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 582 rated districts in NJ → 25th percentile → 3/10.
Source: New Jersey Dept. of Education NJSLA, grades 3–8 Met/Exceeded Expectations, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Central Regional School District
Central Regional School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 08740 in Ocean Gate, New Jersey. Serving students from 7th – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 08740. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 3/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Central Regional School District 3 out of 10 — below average among New Jersey public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in New Jersey’s NJSLA grades 3–8 ELA & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because New Jersey is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Central Regional School District carries a below-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates below typical New Jersey benchmarks on state assessments. A below-average score reflects test performance relative to other districts — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture, and some of these districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 08740
Children in zip code 08740 are assigned to Central Regional School District for public school enrollment, covering grades 7th – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 08740, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Central Regional School District at (732)269-1100 or visit www.centralreg.k12.nj.us. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — New Jersey districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Ocean Gate
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Central Regional School District serves zip code 08740, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 08740. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In New Jersey, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Central Regional School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 08740.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Central Regional School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 08740 data.