Millburn NJ Schools 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Millburn Township School District

Millburn Township in New Jersey offers abundant educational opportunities for students. The township’s public and private schools have established pioneering academic programs while maintaining a strong sense of community through year-round events. Whether you’re considering moving to Millburn or a resident with a growing interest in the town’s educational offerings, examining the township’s schools, student-to-teacher ratios, and more is vital.

Millburn Township Public Schools

Millburn Township Public Schools offer a diverse range of educational institutions. Approximately 5,000 students attend eight public schools in town, out of which five enroll students from Grades K–4: Wyoming, South Mountain, Hartshorn, Glenwood, and Deerfield elementary schools. The district also serves one central fifth-grade school, a middle school for Grades 6–8, and a high school for Grades 9–12. These schools play a crucial role in the rich academic tapestry in Millburn Township, each with unique strengths and focus areas.

Wyoming Elementary

Wyoming Elementary School, located at 55 Myrtle Avenue in east Millburn—near neighboring Maplewood Township—aims to nurture the "whole" child by prioritizing social and emotional growth alongside academic achievements. The school's curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, goal setting, self-directed learning, and other skills to promote life-long learning.

Wyoming Elementary's philosophy goes beyond meeting academic standards. Teachers instruct students using research-based and scientifically vetted information. Moreover, they strive to create "future-ready" individuals who possess the necessary problem-solving and communication skills to thrive well beyond their academic years. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1.

South Mountain Elementary

South Mountain Elementary, located at 2 Southern Slope Drive in the South Mountain neighborhood, offers multicultural events, recreational sports, and family activities that cater to diverse interests. The school also has an active Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) that sponsors a year-long cultural arts and academic enrichment program for the students. In addition to organizing the cultural program, the PTO purchases academic tools, funds all field trips, and arranges community events such as the annual picnic, family fun events, and the Strawberry Festival.

As a part of Millburn Public Schools, South Mountain Elementary offers various academic programs such as Gifted and Talented Students, Math in Focus, extracurricular activities, and a Visual and Performing Arts curriculum. Additionally, the student-teacher ratio is 10:1, which is significantly lower than the country-wide average of 16 students per elementary school teacher.

Hartshorn Elementary

Hartshorn Elementary is located at 400 Hartshorn Drive in Millburn's luxurious Short Hills area. Students at Hartshorn benefit from a comprehensive education that prepares them for academic and personal success. Moreover, students can access technologically enhanced resources to hone in on subjects such as coding, languages, and STEM. Additional resources include a Summer Sharpening program via Millburn Public Schools that offers students various educational and recreational activities during the summer months.

Hartshorn Elementary is deeply connected to the local community. It maintains an active calendar throughout the academic year, featuring events like Wellness Week, band concerts, and an arts showcase. Nearly 90% of teachers at Hartshorn Elementary have three or more years of experience as certified educators, and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.

Glenwood Elementary School

Glenwood Elementary, located at 325 Taylor Road South in Short Hills, has built a solid reputation for creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for students. The school's striking architecture, showcasing smooth red brickwork, country windows, and ornate eaves, is a hallmark of the community. The surrounding area is full of some of the most sought-after luxury homes in Short Hills.

The dedicated staff at Glenwood Elementary School strives to create a nurturing atmosphere that enables students to thrive academically and socially. The school community values collaboration and encourages parental involvement to ensure every student receives a high-quality education. It offers various academic programs, including language arts, music, engineering, and computer science. Glenwood's student-teacher ratio is 15:1.

Deerfield Elementary

Deerfield Elementary is located at 26 Troy Lane in Short Hills. It provides a nurturing and enriching environment for students to excel both academically and personally. The school is noteworthy for its diverse and comprehensive educational program, which strongly emphasizes STEM education, social sciences, art, and a broad range of extracurricular activities.

Furthermore, the school's balanced literacy program enables students to progress at their own pace in reading and writing, ensuring they meet or exceed in-house goals. Similarly, the Math In Focus program concentrates on advanced problem-solving skills and the practical application of mathematical concepts, equipping students to comprehend and use numbers effectively in various contexts.

In addition, Deerfield Elementary's engaged PTO helps organize community-driven events such as International Night and the Strawberry Festival. The student-teacher ratio at Deerfield is 14:1.

Washington School

Washington School is a public elementary school located at 70 Spring Street in Millburn, just a few blocks south of the South Mountain Reservation and its share of the best trails in New Jersey. It is the only school in the township that focuses on teaching fifth graders. The school provides various resources to support its academic objectives. Every student gets a Chromebook to use during the school day, and every classroom is equipped with Smart Software and an interactive panel to enhance the learning process.

Washington School offers additional programs and resources to improve proficiency levels in reading and math, which are aided by a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1. Fifth-grade teachers implement the Balanced Literacy program, which includes reading and writing instruction through the Reader's and Writer's Workshop. Math instruction is provided through the Math In Focus program, which is based on the highly effective teaching approach developed by Singapore's Ministry of Education in the 1980s for Singapore public schools. 

Millburn Middle School

Millburn Middle School, located at 25 Old Short Hills Road, plays a crucial role in preparing students for high school. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum for 6–8 students, providing a diverse range of classes, extracurriculars, and support services. Approximately 1,200 students attend Millburn Middle, all of whom benefit from the school's college readiness curriculum.

According to U.S. News, Millburn Middle School is a top middle school in New Jersey, and access to schools like this makes Millburn one of the top towns in Essex County. The student-teacher ratio is 11:1. Ninety percent of the school's teachers, all of whom are certified educators, have three or more years of teaching experience.

Millburn High School

Building on the strong college-readiness foundation established at Millburn Middle School, Millburn High School upholds a tradition of academic excellence and holistic student development.

Located at 462 Millburn Avenue in south Short Hills near neighboring Springfield, this prominent high school offers a challenging curriculum for students in Grades 9–12. Millburn High School students can take Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams, and the school boasts a 70% AP participation rate.

While Millburn High School focuses on education, it doesn't lack athletic programs and extracurricular activities to keep students involved and engaged. From fencing, basketball, and soccer to musical production, drama, and debate, students have an array of options to enhance their skills outside the classroom. 

Private Schools in Millburn

Millburn Township students interested in exploring alternative educational options can consider nearby private schools such as The Pingry School, Newark Academy, and Delbarton School. These institutions offer unique curricula, smaller class sizes, and diverse educational approaches that cater to individual student needs.

The information below, including school curricula, selectivity, and tuition costs, can help families decide on the private school in Millburn Township that best suits their child's needs.

The Pingry School

Located in the vibrant community of Short Hills, The Pingry School is a hub of academics. Founded in 1861, it is one of the oldest schools in Essex County and boasts a highly selective acceptance rate of only 12%. It has three campuses across 303 acres: the Lower School, the Middle School, and the Upper School. Tuition costs around $47,000 annually, though approximately 18% of students receive a cumulative $8 million in tuition assistance.

The Pingry School offers a range of programs such as Friday Night Lights, Robust Global Programming, Spring Intensives, and The Independent Research Team (IRT). These initiatives foster a love for learning and encourage students to explore beyond traditional boundaries. Moreover, these programs enable Pingry students to challenge themselves academically, develop important life skills, and build strong relationships with their peers and teachers. 

Newark Academy

Newark Academy is a prestigious private day school enrolling students from Grades 6–12. It's located in Livingston Township, Millburn's northern neighbor. Established in 1774, it's considered to be the seventh-oldest private school in the United States and the first in New Jersey to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Newark Academy is highly selective, with over 600 applicants competing for just 115 spots each year. The faculty is highly experienced and knowledgeable, with an average of 17.5 years of teaching experience. 90% of the 92 teachers and administrators have advanced degrees, and 14 have earned doctorate degrees.

With a focus on academic excellence and a supportive community, Newark Academy provides a robust college preparatory program and over 60 clubs to enhance students' educational experiences. The school stands out for its experiential learning opportunities, such as the June Term for Grades 9–11 and the Middle School Capstone travel adventure. Tuition is approximately $48,800. Additionally, there are technology and lunch fees, which total around $1,820.

Delbarton School

Delbarton is a private college preparatory school for boys from Grades 7–12. Located in Morris County, about 15 miles west of Millburn, the school offers a holistic education rooted in the Benedictine Catholic tradition. Under the guidance of Benedictine monks, students learn about values such as community service, faith, and familial bonds. The school was established in 1939 on the estate of St. Mary's Abbey, founded in Newark in the late 1800s. The school has around 650 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1. Tuition and fees range from $47,000 to $55,000 annually.

The Middle School program, including Grades 7–8, sets the foundation for high school success with a fully integrated curriculum focusing on academic growth and character development. The Upper School program, from Grades 9–12, offers a wide variety of comprehensive courses that emphasize a liberal arts education, critical thinking, and intellectual growth. These prepare students for academic success in their post-secondary education and future careers.

Millburn Township's Educational Landscape

The schools in Millburn Township boast highly qualified teachers, rigorous academic programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities catering to various interests. In addition, the community is supportive and actively involved in the success of its schools, creating a collaborative and welcoming atmosphere for students and families alike. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on cultivating future leaders, Millburn Township Public Schools truly stands out as an educational option in New Jersey.