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Dusenberry HouseDusenberry House · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Schools in Chatham · The Chathams School District

Chatham’s public schools outscore 89% of New Jersey districts

On the state math tests, 68% of Chatham’s students scored proficient, above the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chatham, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Jersey, not nationally.

#30of 465 New Jersey townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
78%
▲ 29 pts vs NJ 49%
2021–22
Math proficiency
68%
▲ 32 pts vs NJ 36%
2021–22
Graduate on time
97%
▲ 6 pts vs NJ 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$26.2K
▼ 8% vs NJ $28.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.9
NJ 11.6 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
2,625 students on the public path
In brief

Chatham’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 101 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Chatham’s, its schools beat 70%, lower than their 89% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 78% and math 68% in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $26,187 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Chatham Middle School, then Chatham High School. Enrollment is down 9% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Patrick School (private), The Montessori Children's Academy of Chatham (private) and Sprout House (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Chatham’s grade

A Test scoresA− Graduation

A: better than 89% of New Jersey school districts, #30 of 465 New Jersey towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Jersey average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

New Jersey school districts we grade (651)Better than 89%
Lower resultsHigher results
New Jersey towns with similar household incomes (101)Better than 70%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,023 test results and a graduating class of 340 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Chatham’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,021 in math, 2,025 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chatham, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–32 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressA
6–8Chatham Middle SchoolThe Chathams School DistrictA
9–12Chatham High SchoolThe Chathams School DistrictA+

Chatham’s public schools are run by The Chathams School District, which also serves Chatham. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

The Chathams School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 3,548 students, down 9% since 2020–21 · 10.9 per teacher (NJ 11.6)
$26,187NJ $28,441 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading78%
State average 48.6% · 2025 students tested
Math68%
State average 35.5% · 2021 students tested

Chatham vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Chatham’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ChathamAThe Chathams
SummitASummit City
MillburnAMillburn Township
Chatham Township—The Chathams
Florham ParkAFlorham Park Borough PK–8 · Hanover Park Regional 9–12

Every school in Chatham

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Jersey’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Chathamby address
Milton Avenue School
Elementary · Grades PK–3
A
301 students11:1Rate it →
Washington Avenue School
Elementary · Grades K–3
A
286 students10:1Rate it →
Chatham Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A
833 students10:1Rate it →
Also serving Chathamin other towns
Chatham High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
1,205 students12:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Patrick School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
211 students16:1Rate it →
The Montessori Children's Academy of Chatham
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
74 students25:1Rate it →
Sprout House
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
60 studentsRate it →

Questions about Chatham’s schools

Are Chatham’s schools good?

By New Jersey’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chatham children attend outscore 89% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #30 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Chatham in?

The Chathams School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,548 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

Where do Chatham kids go to high school?

Chatham High School, with 1,205 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Chatham’s graduation rate?

97% of the class of 2023 in The Chathams School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.

How much does Chatham spend per student?

$26,187 in The Chathams School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Chatham?

Yes: St. Patrick School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 211 students), The Montessori Children's Academy of Chatham (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 74 students) and Sprout House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 60 students).

Parents talk

What Chatham families are saying about school.

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Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chatham → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Jersey. Stars are from neighbors.