Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 4.0Demarest’s public schools outscore 91% of New Jersey districts
65% of students in Demarest’s public schools are proficient in math, above the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Demarest, 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.
Demarest’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 182 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Demarest’s, its schools beat 85%, lower than their 91% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Demarest runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
County Road School (PK–1), Luther Lee Emerson School (2–4) and Demarest Middle School (5–8) are Demarest’s own. From grade PK, students attend the Northern Valley Regional School District with Closter, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan: Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest. The high school’s own results earn an A+, the highest on the path. See the path ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 75% and math 65% across both districts in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Demarest Borough spends $26,957 per student and Northern Valley Regional $44,187, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Academy of the Holy Angels (private) is 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.
What’s behind Demarest’s grade
A: better than 91% of New Jersey school districts, #21 of 465 New Jersey towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the New Jersey average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Demarest, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Demarest
County Road School
Grades PK–1 · 221 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Demarest
County Road School
Grades PK–1 · 221 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Demarest
Luther Lee Emerson School
Grades 2–4 · 221 students · 10:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Demarest
Luther Lee Emerson School
Grades 2–4 · 221 students · 10:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Demarest
Luther Lee Emerson School
Grades 2–4 · 221 students · 10:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Demarest
Demarest Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 359 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Demarest
Demarest Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 359 students · 10:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Demarest
Demarest Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 359 students · 10:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Demarest
Demarest Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 359 students · 10:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Grades 9–12 · 1,038 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest
Grades 9–12 · 1,038 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Demarest runs its own schools through grade 8 (Demarest Borough School District). From grade PK, students attend the Northern Valley Regional School District, shared with Closter, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Demarest
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
Demarest vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Demarest’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Demarest | A | Demarest Borough PK–8 · Northern Valley Regional PK–12 |
| Cresskill | A | Cresskill Borough |
| Closter | A | Closter Borough PK–8 · Northern Valley Regional PK–12 |
| Alpine | A+ | Alpine Borough |
| Haworth | A | Haworth Borough PK–8 · Northern Valley Regional PK–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Northern Valley Regional with Demarest for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Demarest
6 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 Demarest’s schools
Are Demarest’s schools good?
By New Jersey’s own tests, yes: the public schools Demarest children attend outscore 91% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #21 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Demarest in?
Two districts: Demarest Borough School District runs grades PK–8, and Northern Valley Regional School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Closter, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood and Old Tappan.
Where do Demarest kids go to high school?
Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, with 1,038 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Demarest’s graduation rate?
98% of the class of 2023 in Northern Valley Regional School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Demarest spend per student?
$26,957 in Demarest Borough School District and $44,187 in Northern Valley Regional School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Demarest?
Yes: Academy of the Holy Angels (catholic · all-girls, grades 6–12, 519 students).
Parents talk
What Demarest families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Demarest → 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.