HERE ARE THE BEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN NEW JERSEY NEAR JBMDL

Introduction

Moving to a new duty station every few years certainly has its challenges. Tracking down new housing, exploring a new area, and finding the best schools or childcare options for your children can be stressful. Luckily, there are plenty of options for your children around Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Let’s dive into the best school districts in New Jersey and childcare options now.

New Jersey School Enrollment

To be enrolled in kindergarten at a New Jersey school, a child must be 5 years old by October 1st of the school year. Registration starts online, and then you’ll need to bring in your child’s birth certificate or other proof of the child’s age, documentation of residency, the child’s previous school records, and their immunization records. Visit the State of New Jersey Department of Education registration page for more information, or contact someone at the JBMDL Education Center to learn more. You can also utilize the experts at Ft. Dix Education Center.

Schools in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

There are no DoDDS schools on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. School-aged children who live on base in McGuire and Dix housing have their choice of some of the best school districts in New Jersey. They can choose from North Hanover Township School District, Northern Burlington County Regional School District, and Pemberton Township School District. Children from one family must all attend the same district. Children living in Lakehurst housing attend elementary school in the Lakehurst School District and high school in the Manchester School District. These districts all operate on the same New Jersey school calendar. If any of your children need special attention, reach out to School Liaison Services at the JBMDL Education Center.

Schools Near JBMDL

There are plenty of great options for school-aged children living on or near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, whether you’re looking for private schools, the best school districts in New Jersey, charter schools, or daycare options. Reach out to the JBMDL Education Center or Ft. Dix Education Center with any questions.

North Hanover Township School District

331 Monmouth Road Wrightstown, NJ 08562

Phone

: 1 (609) 738-2600 More than half of the students enrolled in North Hanover Township School District schools are children of active-duty military personnel. This district operates three schools that serve children from pre-K through sixth grade. The district has an early childhood center and three elementary schools to serve the students living in this district or on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Northern Burlington County Regional School District

160 Mansfield Road E Columbus, NJ 08022

Phone

: 1 (609) 298-3900 Students enrolled in North Hanover Township School District attend Northern Burlington County Regional School District for middle school and high school. The district was formed in 1959 and serves children living in the Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield Townships, along with children connected to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The district offers one middle school and one high school for students to enroll in.

Pemberton Township School District

One Egbert St. Pemberton, NJ 08068

Phone

: 1 (609) 893-8141 Pemberton Township School District serves approximately 5,000 students in Pemberton Township and Pemberton Borough living on base at JBMDL. There is an early childhood education center, five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school in the district.

Lakehurst School District

301 Union Ave. Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Phone

: 1 (732) 657-5741 Lakehurst School District serves elementary school children living in Lakehurst or on base in Lakehurst housing. Parents whose children are in this district also have the option to utilize the early childhood education center connected to the elementary school.

Manchester Township School District

121 Route 539 Whiting, NJ 08759

Phone

: 1 (732) 350-5900 Manchester Township School District is the feeder district for those living in Lakehurst housing. The district serves nearly 3,000 students in all grade levels, from pre-K through 12th. There are three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

New Jersey Elementary Schools Near JBMDL

1. Endeavour Elementary School

District

: North Hanover Township School District One School Road North Hanover, NJ 08641

Phone

: 1 (609) 738-6301 Less than two miles from the front gates of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst sits Endeavour Elementary School. The school serves those in first through fourth grade and has a partnership with the base.

2. Lakehurst Elementary School

District

: Lakehurst School District 301 Union Ave. Lakehurst, NJ 08733

Phone

: 1 (732) 657-5741 Lakehurst Elementary School serves those connected to the Lakehurst side of JBMDL, formerly known only as Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. There is no Lakehurst high school or middle school, so elementary students will attend post-elementary education in Manchester Township School District

3. Fort Dix Elementary School

District

: Pemberton Township School District 1199 Juliustown Road Fort Dix, NJ 08640

Phone

: 1 (609) 893-8141 Just outside the front gates of Fort Dix on JBMDL sits Fort Dix Elementary School. The elementary school connected to Fort Dix enrolls about 400 students from pre-K through fifth grade.

New Jersey Middle Schools Near JBMDL

1. Northern Burlington Middle School

District

: Northern Burlington County Regional School District 180 Mansfield Road E Columbus, NJ 08022

Phone

: 1 (609) 298-3900 Northern Burlington Middle School sits about 7 miles from JBMDL’s front gate. The middle school enrolls more than 800 sixth through eighth graders.

2. Marcus Newcomb Middle School

District

: Pemberton Township School District 300 Fort Dix Road Pemberton, NJ 08068

Phone

: 1 (609) 893-8141 There are approximately 300 students enrolled in Marcus Newcomb Middle School. The school sits near the Fort Dix gate and enrolls students in sixth grade.

New Jersey High Schools Near JBMDL

1. Pemberton Township High School

District

: Pemberton Township School District 148 Arney’s Mount Road Pemberton, NJ 08068

Phone

: 1 (609) 893-8141 Lakehurst high-school-age students enroll in Pemberton Township High School or Northern Burlington County High School. Pemberton Township HS has an award-winning JROTC program and tons of co-curricular programs.

2. Northern Burlington County High School

District

: Northern Burlington County Regional School District 160 Mansfield Road E Columbus, NJ 08022

Phone

: 1 (609) 298-3900 Like Pemberton Township High School, Northern Burlington County High School serves many military families connected to JBMDL. The school has a top rating and enrolls nearly 1,400 students in ninth through 12th grade.

Charter Schools Near JBMDL

There are nearly 100 charter schools operating in New Jersey, serving approximately 60,000 students across the state. There are two located in Burlington County, where Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is located. For more information about the charter schools in New Jersey, visit the New Jersey Department of Education’s charter schools page.

1. Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School

1000 Salem Road Willingboro, NJ 08046

Phone

: 1 (609) 835-8370

2. Riverbank Charter School of Excellence

1300 Hornberger Ave. Roebling, NJ 08554

Phone

: 1 (609) 499-4321

New Jersey Private School Options Near JBMDL

There are a number of New Jersey private schools within a short drive from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Many of them have a religious affiliation, and some are accredited by the state of New Jersey. According to Private School Review, these are the three best New Jersey private schools in the area.

1. Westfield Friends School

2201 Rivertown Road Riverton, NJ 08077

Phone

: 1 (856) 829-0895

2. Holy Cross Preparatory Academy

5035 Route 130 S Riverside, NJ 08075

Phone

: 1 (856) 461-5400

3. Moorestown Friends School

110 E Main St. Moorestown, NJ 08057

Phone

: 1 (856) 914-4426

Best Boarding Schools, New Jersey

Some parents might opt to send their child to boarding schools. New Jersey has plenty of options that you’ll love. There are six college-prep and junior boarding schools serving nearly 4,000 students throughout New Jersey. Two of the best boarding schools in New Jersey are affiliated with a church, and the others are solely education-based. The boarding schools in New Jersey are for students in ninth through 12th grade. Here’s a rundown from Boarding School Review of the best boarding schools New Jersey has to offer.

Daycares Near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Leaving your child with someone else while you go to work is not an easy decision. When scouting out the daycare facility or in-home childcare option that you like best, reading reviews on Yelp or Care.com is the best way to start. If possible, you should try to visit your favorite options in person, as it’s the best way to make a final decision about where to send your child for care. In addition, there are child development centers, family child care, and school-age care available for parents to utilize at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Conclusion

Moving all the time can be stressful and hard on your kids, but ensuring they have great educational opportunities helps. The New Jersey school calendar being consistent across districts makes planning time off much easier. Not to mention there are tons of resources connected to the base — like JBMDL Education Center and Ft. Dix Education Center — to help them acclimate or get involved in new activities. Utilize this info on the best school districts in New Jersey to help narrow down the choices so you can spend your time focusing on learning all about your new area in New Jersey.

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