2027 Niche School Rankings: How Top New Jersey Schools Rank
Niche has released its 2027 Best Schools and Districts rankings, and several public school districts in the New Jersey communities we serve once again placed among the highest ranked in the state.
For buyers researching a move to the New Jersey suburbs, school rankings are often one of many factors considered when narrowing down where to live. The latest Niche rankings provide a useful snapshot of how districts compare based on academic data, teacher quality, college readiness, reviews and other factors.
Among the communities we cover, Summit, Chatham, Livingston, Millburn Township, Westfield and New Providence all ranked among Niche’s top 20 school districts in New Jersey for 2027, and all six received an overall Niche grade of A+.
2027 Niche School District Rankings at a Glance
| Community | School District | 2027 NJ Rank | Overall Niche Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit | Summit Public School District | #6 | A+ |
| Chatham | School District of the Chathams | #9 | A+ |
| Livingston | Livingston Board of Education School District | #12 | A+ |
| Millburn / Short Hills | Millburn Township School District | #14 | A+ |
| Westfield | Westfield Public School District | #15 | A+ |
| New Providence | New Providence School District | #18 | A+ |
The six districts included here all rank within the top 20 of 244 New Jersey school districts evaluated by Niche for its 2027 Best School Districts ranking.
What Changed in the 2027 Niche School Rankings?
Niche released its 2027 Best Schools and Districts rankings on September 28, 2026. According to Niche, the rankings cover more than 93,000 public schools, 30,000 private schools and 11,000 school districts nationwide. The rankings combine data from sources including the U.S. Department of Education with reviews from students and parents. For school district rankings, factors include state test performance, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality and district ratings. One significant methodology change for 2027 is the removal of SAT and ACT scores from the rankings, which Niche says reflects the broader de-emphasis on admissions test scores. As with any ranking system, the results represent one way to evaluate schools. Families may also want to review New Jersey Department of Education data, district programs, individual schools and the educational priorities that matter most to them.
Summit Public School District: #6 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#6 Best School District in New Jersey
#1 Best School District in Union County
Summit earns the highest statewide placement among the six districts featured here, ranking #6 out of 244 New Jersey school districts and taking the #1 position in Union County.
The district also ranks:
#17 among Best Places to Teach in New Jersey
#26 among Districts with the Best Teachers in New Jersey
#34 among Best School Districts for Athletes in New Jersey
At the high school level, Summit Senior High School ranks #22 among New Jersey public high schools in Niche’s 2027 rankings and receives an A+ overall grade. For buyers researching the community beyond the schools, our Moving to Summit from NYC, Hoboken and Jersey City guide takes a closer look at commuting and what to consider when planning a move to Summit.
The School District of the Chathams: #9 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#9 Best School District in New Jersey
#2 Best School District in Morris County
The School District of the Chathams ranks #9 statewide and #2 in Morris County for 2027.
The district also ranks:
#16 among Best School Districts for Athletes in New Jersey
#33 among Districts with the Best Teachers in New Jersey
#36 among Best Places to Teach in New Jersey
The district serves students from both Chatham Borough and Chatham Township, an important distinction for buyers who are new to the area and researching the two municipalities. Chatham High School ranks #28 among New Jersey public high schools and #24 among Best College Prep Public High Schools in the state in Niche’s 2027 results.
Livingston Board of Education School District: #12 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#12 Best School District in New Jersey
#1 Best School District in Essex County
Livingston ranks #12 among New Jersey school districts, making it the highest-ranked district in Essex County in Niche’s 2027 Best School Districts ranking.
The district also ranks:
#14 among Best Places to Teach in New Jersey
#29 among Districts with the Best Teachers in New Jersey
Livingston Senior High School also performs strongly in the latest rankings, placing #17 among Best Public High Schools in New Jersey and #19 among Best College Prep Public High Schools. Livingston’s #1 Essex County district ranking is particularly notable because neighboring Millburn Township follows closely behind at #2 in the county.
For buyers weighing the differences between these two communities, our Short Hills vs. Livingston guide goes beyond the school rankings to compare housing, commute, downtown options and current market considerations.
Millburn Township School District: #14 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#14 Best School District in New Jersey
#2 Best School District in Essex County
Millburn Township School District ranks #14 in New Jersey and #2 in Essex County for 2027.
The district also earns:
#19 among Best Places to Teach in New Jersey
#27 among Districts with the Best Teachers in New Jersey
One point that can be confusing for buyers relocating to the area is the relationship between Millburn and Short Hills. Short Hills is part of Millburn Township, and homes in both Millburn and Short Hills fall within the Millburn Township School District, subject to individual school attendance boundaries. At the high school level, Millburn High School ranks #20 among New Jersey public high schools and #14 among Best College Prep Public High Schools for 2027. It is also ranked #2 among public high schools in Essex County.
Buyers who want a deeper look at the community can also explore our Short Hills & Millburn Real Estate Market Update and our guide to Commuting Options from Short Hills to New York City.
Westfield Public School District: #15 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#15 Best School District in New Jersey
#2 Best School District in Union County
Westfield ranks #15 statewide and #2 in Union County in the latest Niche school district rankings.
Its 2027 results are especially notable in several additional categories:
#2 Best School District for Athletes in New Jersey
#7 Districts with the Best Teachers in New Jersey
#16 Best Places to Teach in New Jersey
Westfield Senior High School ranks #50 among New Jersey public high schools, while also placing #11 statewide among Best High Schools for Athletes and #21 for Best Public High School Teachers.
New Providence School District: #18 in New Jersey
2027 Niche Overall Grade: A+
#18 Best School District in New Jersey
#3 Best School District in Union County
New Providence rounds out our list at #18 among New Jersey school districts, placing it within the state's top 20 and #3 in Union County. The district also ranks #50 among Best School Districts for Athletes in New Jersey. New Providence High School ranks #53 among Best Public High Schools in New Jersey in the 2027 rankings.
How Do These Top New Jersey School Districts Compare?
Looking only at Niche’s overall 2027 Best School District ranking, the six communities rank as follows:
#6 Summit
#9 Chatham
#12 Livingston
#14 Millburn Township
#15 Westfield
#18 New Providence
There are also some interesting county-level distinctions.
In Essex County, Livingston ranks #1 and Millburn Township ranks #2.
In Union County, Summit ranks #1, Westfield ranks #2 and New Providence ranks #3.
Chatham ranks #2 among school districts in Morris County.
These rankings help provide a snapshot of how the districts compare according to Niche’s methodology, but the numerical order alone does not tell the full story of a school system or determine which community will be the right fit for an individual family.
What Should Buyers Consider Beyond School Rankings?
For families researching a move, school rankings are often one part of a much larger decision.
Buyers comparing communities such as Short Hills, Livingston, Summit and Chatham may also be weighing:
Home prices and current inventory
Property and lot size
Housing style
New construction availability
Train and commuting options
Downtown access
Proximity to New York City
Individual school assignments and district programming
If budget is one of the factors helping narrow your search, our Which NJ Suburb Fits Your Budget? guide provides another way to compare many of these communities. And for buyers deciding specifically between two of Essex County’s highest-ranked school districts, our Short Hills vs. Livingston comparison takes a more detailed look at what differentiates the two towns beyond their schools
Thinking About a Move to the New Jersey Suburbs?
The Saritte Harel Team works with buyers and sellers throughout Essex, Morris and Union counties and has extensive experience across communities including Short Hills, Millburn, Livingston, Summit, Chatham, Westfield and New Providence.
If you are researching a move and trying to determine which towns make the most sense for your home search, school rankings can be a helpful place to begin. Understanding the housing market, available inventory and differences between the communities is the next step.
Tell us what matters most in your move and we'll help you narrow your New Jersey home search.
