Can I use Ocean County's school score to choose a house?

No. Use the Ocean County school score as a first-pass county screen, then verify the exact district, attendance boundary, transfer rules, and grade pathway for any address you are considering.

Does SchoolsByCounty confirm school attendance boundaries in Ocean County?

No. SchoolsByCounty publishes NCES and Census-backed public-school records. Attendance zones, magnet eligibility, charter lotteries, transportation, and transfer rules must be confirmed with local districts.

How should parents compare public schools in Ocean County?

Start with the 116 listed public schools and 30 district entries, then compare similar grade bands and confirm the address-level rules locally.

Ocean County Schools & Education

Name: Ocean County, New Jersey Education Data
Creator: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Ocean County, New Jersey

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

School Score

85/100

Percentile-style score

Score Band

Higher Signal

Graduation Rate

92.7%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

92.7%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 91.4%

Per-Pupil Spending

$13,447

National avg $13,239

State avg $13,088

School Score

85/100

Percentile-style score

State avg 80/100

State Score Position

of 21 counties by score

Education Data Brief: Ocean County

Measured School Summary

Ocean County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 85/100 and a graduation rate of 92.7%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.

Funding Context

With $13,447 per pupil, Ocean County has adequate funding that generally covers core educational needs and some supplemental services.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 7% above the New Jersey average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% higher than the state norm.

School Data Brief

How to read Ocean County before comparing districts

County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.

Local context that changes the interpretation

116 public schools and 30 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.

Overall screen

85/100

Higher measured signal. Ranks #9 of 21 New Jersey counties with school score data.

Completion

92.7%

1.3 pts above the state average

Funding context

$13,447

$359 above the state average

School coverage

116

30 districts represented in the county school list.

Start with measured county context

This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.

Check the local school mix

Ocean County has 116 public schools across 30 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.

Verify local rules

Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.

View Public Schools Compare Counties

Parent decision brief

What Ocean County school data means before you move

County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.

Large multi-district county

Ocean County has many school records across many districts. County averages are only the opening screen; neighborhood-level assignment and grade-band fit matter more here.

State position

of 21 New Jersey counties with school score data. The county score is 5 points above the state average.

Data confidence

Usable

3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.

K-12 continuity check

These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.

Toms River Regional School District

Elementary to high school visible

14,501 students

Elementary 12Middle 3High 3Other 0

18 listed schools in this county slice.

Brick Township Public School District

Elementary to high school visible

8,273 students

Elementary 6Middle 2High 2Other 2

12 listed schools in this county slice.

Jackson Township School District

Elementary to high school visible

7,563 students

Elementary 6Middle 2High 2Other 0

10 listed schools in this county slice.

Lakewood Township School District

Elementary to high school visible

4,616 students

Elementary 6Middle 1High 1Other 0

8 listed schools in this county slice.

District reality check

Toms River Regional School District is the largest listed district slice, with 18 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.

What the data cannot tell you

NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.

Questions to ask before choosing an address

Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Ocean County?

Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Ocean County district systems?

What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?

Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?

Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?

Education Overview

About Schools in Ocean County, New Jersey

This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.

Expanding Education Near the Shore

Ocean County manages 116 public schools within 30 districts, serving a student body of 66,348. The county features a diverse mix of 64 elementary, 20 middle, and 24 high schools.

Strong Results and Consistent Funding

The county's graduation rate of 92.7% beats both the state average of 91.4% and the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $13,447, ensuring the county stays well-funded relative to the $13,000 national average.

Toms River and Brick Township Giants

Toms River Regional is the dominant district with 14,501 students across 18 schools, followed by Brick Township with 8,273 students. Only one charter school exists in the county, making traditional public districts the primary choice for residents.

A Substantial Suburban Footprint

Ocean County schools are mostly suburban (91) with 16 rural locations, averaging 587 students per school. Toms River High School North is the largest in the county, providing for 1,931 students in a bustling high school environment.

School Overview

Total Schools

116

in Ocean County

Reported Enrollment

66,348

116 schools reporting

School Districts

districts

Charter Schools

1% of total

School Level Breakdown

Elementary64

Middle20

High24

Other8

30 School Districts in Ocean County

Toms River Regional School District

Brick Township Public School District

Jackson Township School District

Lakewood Township School District

Lacey Township School District

Barnegat Township School District

Manchester Township School District

6 schools

2,846 students

Southern Regional School District

2 schools

2,750 students

Point Pleasant Borough School District

4 schools

2,698 students

Berkeley Township School District

4 schools

2,427 students

116 Public Schools in Ocean County

Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 20 high-enrollment schools; every NCES public school remains listed here.

NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance data

Search schools

Level

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Showing 20 of 116 matching schools

Public schools in Ocean County, including district, location, profile availability, grades, type, and enrollment.
School Name	Profile	District	Location	Grades	Type / Flags	Reported Enrollment
Toms River High School North	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,931
Southern Regional High School	Profile	Southern Regional School District	MANAHAWKIN, 08050Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,845
Central Regional High School	Profile	Central Regional School District	BAYVILLE, 08721Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,606
Toms River High School East	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,520
Jackson Memorial High School	Profile	Jackson Township School District	Jackson, 08527Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	1,499
Lakewood High School	Profile	Lakewood Township School District	LAKEWOOD, 08701City: Small	9–12	High	1,423
Toms River High School South	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,359
Brick Township Memorial High School	Profile	Brick Township Public School District	BRICK, 08724Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,320
Toms River Intermediate School East	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	1,294
Brick Township High School	Profile	Brick Township Public School District	BRICK TOWN, 08723Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,267
Lacey Township High School	Profile	Lacey Township School District	LANOKA HARBOR, 08734Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,222
Jackson Liberty High School	Profile	Jackson Township School District	Jackson, 08527Suburb: Large	9–12	High	1,141
Pinelands Regional High School	Profile	Pinelands Regional School District	Little Egg Harbor, 08087Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	1,069
Toms River Intermediate School South	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	BEACHWOOD, 08722Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	1,048
Toms River Intermediate School North	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	1,012
Lakewood Middle School	Profile	Lakewood Township School District	LAKEWOOD, 08701City: Small	6–8	Middle	995
Carl W. Goetz Middle School	Profile	Jackson Township School District	Jackson, 08527Suburb: Large	6–8	Middle	989
Barnegat High School	Profile	Barnegat Township School District	BARNEGAT, 08005Suburb: Large	9–12	High	983
Manchester Township High School	Profile	Manchester Township School District	MANCHESTER, 08759Rural: Fringe	9–12	High	959
Cedar Grove Elementary School	Profile	Toms River Regional School District	TOMS RIVER, 08753Suburb: Large	PK–5	Primary	937

Toms River High School North

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,931 students

Southern Regional High School

Southern Regional School District

MANAHAWKIN, 08050 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,845 students

Central Regional High School

Central Regional School District

BAYVILLE, 08721 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,606 students

Toms River High School East

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,520 students

Jackson Memorial High School

Jackson Township School District

Jackson, 08527 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,499 students

Lakewood High School

Lakewood Township School District

LAKEWOOD, 08701 / City: Small

Profile9–12High1,423 students

Toms River High School South

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,359 students

Brick Township Memorial High School

Brick Township Public School District

BRICK, 08724 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,320 students

Toms River Intermediate School East

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

Profile6–8Middle1,294 students

Brick Township High School

Brick Township Public School District

BRICK TOWN, 08723 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,267 students

Lacey Township High School

Lacey Township School District

LANOKA HARBOR, 08734 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,222 students

Jackson Liberty High School

Jackson Township School District

Jackson, 08527 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High1,141 students

Pinelands Regional High School

Pinelands Regional School District

Little Egg Harbor, 08087 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High1,069 students

Toms River Intermediate School South

Toms River Regional School District

BEACHWOOD, 08722 / Suburb: Large

Profile6–8Middle1,048 students

Toms River Intermediate School North

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

Profile6–8Middle1,012 students

Lakewood Middle School

Lakewood Township School District

LAKEWOOD, 08701 / City: Small

Profile6–8Middle995 students

Carl W. Goetz Middle School

Jackson Township School District

Jackson, 08527 / Suburb: Large

Profile6–8Middle989 students

Barnegat High School

Barnegat Township School District

BARNEGAT, 08005 / Suburb: Large

Profile9–12High983 students

Manchester Township High School

Manchester Township School District

MANCHESTER, 08759 / Rural: Fringe

Profile9–12High959 students

Cedar Grove Elementary School

Toms River Regional School District

TOMS RIVER, 08753 / Suburb: Large

ProfilePK–5Primary937 students

Education Funding Detail

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$13,447

State avg $13,088

Compare Nearby Counties

Review Ocean County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.

Open Compare

Browse Public Schools

See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.

View Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Which New Jersey counties have the highest graduation rates?

Hunterdon County (95.8%), Salem County (95.3%), and Bergen County (95.1%) currently lead New Jersey among counties with available NCES four-year adjusted cohort graduation-rate data. This answer is generated from the same dataset used in the county table and can change when federal data refreshes.

What is per-pupil spending like in New Jersey?

Across New Jersey counties with available NCES district-finance data, average per-pupil spending is $13,088. The highest current county values are Hunterdon County ($15,445), Sussex County ($14,659), and Cape May County ($14,220). Compare counties in the table before treating the statewide average as representative of a local district.

How should I read the school score in Ocean County?

Ocean County has a school score of 85/100, which is a higher measured signal in this county-level index. This score is calculated from available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance data, with school-level records shown separately below.

What is the graduation rate in Ocean County?

The high school graduation rate in Ocean County is 92.7%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.

How much does Ocean County spend per student?

Ocean County spends $13,447 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. Current operating spending per fall enrollment, including instruction, support services, administration, transportation, and operations. It excludes capital outlays and debt service in the SchoolsByCounty methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Ocean County, New Jersey — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Ocean County, New Jersey?

Ocean County manages 116 public schools within 30 districts, serving a student body of 66,348. The county features a diverse mix of 64 elementary, 20 middle, and 24 high schools.

How do schools in Ocean County perform academically?

What are the major school districts in Ocean County, New Jersey?

What is the school experience like in Ocean County?

Counties with Similar School Profile

Warren County

New Jersey

-1 pts

84/100

School score

Gloucester County

New Jersey

-2 pts

84/100

School score

Middlesex County

New Jersey

-2 pts

83/100

School score

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated May 13, 2026Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.

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