Watchung’s public schools outscore 78% of New Jersey districts
On the state math tests, 52% of Watchung’s students scored proficient, above the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Watchung, 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 98% 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.
Watchung’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 256 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Watchung’s, its schools beat 66%, lower than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Watchung runs its own schools through grade 8, then shares
Bayberry School (PK–4) and Valley View School (5–8) are Watchung’s own. From grade 9, students attend the Watchung Hills Regional School District with Long Hill and Warren: Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren. 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 67% and math 52% 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
Watchung Borough spends $25,687 per student and Watchung Hills Regional $28,931, 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 Watchung’s grade
A−: better than 78% of New Jersey school districts, #87 of 465 New Jersey towns. 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 Watchung, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Watchung
Bayberry School
Grades PK–4 · 391 students · 9:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Watchung
Bayberry School
Grades PK–4 · 391 students · 9:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Watchung
Bayberry School
Grades PK–4 · 391 students · 9:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Watchung
Bayberry School
Grades PK–4 · 391 students · 9:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Watchung
Bayberry School
Grades PK–4 · 391 students · 9:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Watchung
Valley View School
Grades 5–8 · 276 students · 9:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Watchung
Valley View School
Grades 5–8 · 276 students · 9:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Watchung
Valley View School
Grades 5–8 · 276 students · 9:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Watchung
Valley View School
Grades 5–8 · 276 students · 9:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Watchung
Watchung Hills Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Warren
10th grade in Watchung
Watchung Hills Regional High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,653 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Warren
Watchung runs its own schools through grade 8 (Watchung Borough School District). From grade 9, students attend the Watchung Hills Regional School District, shared with Long Hill and Warren. Its high school is in Warren. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Watchung
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
Watchung vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Watchung’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Watchung | A− | Watchung Borough PK–8 · Watchung Hills Regional 9–12 |
| Berkeley Heights | A− | Berkeley Heights Township |
| Scotch Plains | A− | Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional |
| Green Brook | B+ | Green Brook Township |
| Plainfield | D− | Plainfield City |
| North Plainfield | C− | North Plainfield Borough |
| Warren | A− | Warren Township PK–8 · Watchung Hills Regional 9–12 |
Every school in Watchung
3 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 Watchung’s schools
Are Watchung’s schools good?
By New Jersey’s own tests, yes: the public schools Watchung children attend outscore 78% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #87 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 66%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Watchung in?
Two districts: Watchung Borough School District runs grades PK–8, and Watchung Hills Regional School District runs grades 9–12, shared with Long Hill and Warren.
Where do Watchung kids go to high school?
Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, with 1,653 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Watchung’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in Watchung Hills Regional School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Watchung spend per student?
$25,687 in Watchung Borough School District and $28,931 in Watchung Hills Regional School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Watchung families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Watchung → 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.