How Long Branch, Eatontown Schools Were Graded On New NJ Report

Long Branch and Eatontown schools received rankings across the board on a controversial rating system that educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools.

The schools are rated on a 0-100 scale. The ratings, which were released Wednesday, were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act.

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

Patch obtained the "summative scores" from the state Department of Education, which shows schools in Cresskill, Millburn and Fair Haven as having the highest scores, getting a 96.73 or higher.

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average. Schools that finish in the top 20 percent are considered above average.

Long Branch and Eatontown schools received the following scores and overall rankings (out of 2,088 schools):

• 331. Margaret L Vetter, Eatontown, 74.02
• 1207. George L. Catrambone, Long Branch, 45.84
• 1336. Woodmere, Eatontown, 42.20
• 1517. Long Branch Middle School, 35.99
• 1653. Memorial Middle School, Eatontown, 1653
• 1656. Long Branch High School, 31.09
• 1740. Amerigo A Anastasia Elementary School, Long Branch, 27.91
• 1774. Gregory Elementary School, Long Branch, 26.40

Some local schools were not listed, such as Lenna W. Conrow School in Long Branch.

Schools that have third grade or higher also have "summative percentile rating," which shows how they compare to other high schools, middle and elementary schools. Those give elementary schools more weight in their scoring because they don't have the exact same criteria as high schools (like graduation rates).

The summative percentile ratings, and their statewide rankings are:

• 318. Margaret L Vetter, Eatontown, 84.83
• 1208. George L. Catrambone, Long Branch, 42.12
• 1350. Woodmere, Eatontown, 35.37
• 1517. Long Branch Middle School, 27.31
• 1610. Long Branch High School, 22.92
• 1662. Memorial Middle School, Eatontown, 20.38
• 1751. Americo A Anastasia Elementary School, Long Branch, 16.11
• 1787. Gregory Elementary School, Long Branch, 14.40

For a complete statewide list of rankings, click here.