Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0Chester’s public schools outscore 89% of New Jersey districts
On the state math tests, 63% of Chester’s students scored proficient, above the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Chester, 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.
From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% 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.
Chester’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 72% and math 63% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Chester Township spends $27,852 per student and West Morris Regional $27,126, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
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.
What’s behind Chester’s grade
A: better than 89% of New Jersey school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Jersey average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Chester, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Chester
Dickerson Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 356 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Chester
Dickerson Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 356 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Chester
Dickerson Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 356 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Chester
Dickerson Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 356 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Chester
Bragg Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 297 students · 8:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Chester
Bragg Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 297 students · 8:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Chester
Bragg Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 297 students · 8:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Chester
Black River Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 352 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Chester
Black River Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 352 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Chester
Black River Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 352 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Chester · depends on your address
West Morris Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,015 students · 12:1 students per teacher
West Morris Mendham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Mendham
10th grade in Chester · depends on your address
West Morris Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,015 students · 12:1 students per teacher
West Morris Mendham High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,012 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Mendham
Chester runs its own schools through grade 8 (Chester Township School District). From grade 9, students attend the West Morris Regional School District, shared with Chester, Mendham, Mendham and Washington. Its elementary school is in Chester. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Chester
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Chester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Chester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | A | Chester Township PK–8 · West Morris Regional 9–12 |
Every school in Chester
5 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).
Questions about Chester’s schools
Are Chester’s schools good?
By New Jersey’s own tests, yes: the public schools Chester children attend outscore 89% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 90%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chester in?
Two districts: Chester Township School District runs grades PK–8, and West Morris Regional School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Chester, Mendham, Mendham and Washington.
Where do Chester kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: West Morris Central High School and West Morris Mendham High School.
What is Chester’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in West Morris Regional School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Chester spend per student?
$27,852 in Chester Township School District and $27,126 in West Morris Regional School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Chester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chester → 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.