Best NJ Suburbs for Schools: A City to Suburb Guide for NYC Families

Quick Takeaways for City Buyers

• New Jersey suburban public schools are assigned by home address, not lottery

• Top ranked school districts consistently align with stronger home values

• Short Hills and Millburn, Livingston, Summit, and Chatham remain among the most education driven towns in New Jersey

• Choosing the right town is both an education decision and a long term investment decision

Why City Buyers Start With Schools

For many NYC, Hoboken, and Jersey City families, the move to the suburbs is not just about more space. It is about predictability, long term planning, and access to strong public education.

Unlike city school systems, where placement may depend on zoning or lotteries, most New Jersey suburbs offer clarity. Your home address determines your public school assignment. That certainty is often the starting point for families beginning to explore a move out of the city.

“For many of our NYC and Hoboken clients, schools are the starting point, not the home. Once families understand how New Jersey school districts work, the move becomes much less overwhelming.” - Saritte Harel

How Suburban School Systems Differ From NYC

City School Experience

• Zoning, lotteries, or competitive admissions

• Less predictability year to year

• Private school often considered early

   

New Jersey Suburban Model

• Schools tied directly to your home address

• Clear elementary, middle, and high school progression

• Strong neighborhood school communities

• Public school systems consistently ranked among the best

For many families, this structure alone represents a meaningful quality of life shift.

Why School Quality Impacts Home Value

In top New Jersey suburbs, school quality and home values move together. Buyer demand follows education performance, and that demand shows up in pricing strength, competition, and long term appreciation. We track these trends closely through our local New Jersey market reports, which consistently show stronger performance in education driven towns.

2025 Market Snapshot

• Short Hills and Millburn: approximately 4 percent year over year price growth with homes continuing to sell above list price

• Summit: approximately 10 percent year over year appreciation with increased buyer activity

• Chatham: approximately 9 percent year over year growth supported by limited inventory

• Livingston: approximately 7.5 percent year over year growth across a wide range of price points

   

For city buyers, this reinforces an important reality. Choosing a strong school district is not only about academics. It is also a strategy for protecting and growing home value over time.

2025 New Jersey housing market trends

Comparing Top School Districts We Serve

In addition to individual school performance, many families look at district wide rankings to understand overall quality and consistency. District rankings evaluate academics, teacher quality, college readiness, and community satisfaction, all of which influence buyer demand.

According to Niche.com, the districts below consistently rank among the top school systems in New Jersey, reinforcing their reputation as education driven suburban markets.

Short Hills and Millburn

Buyers considering living in Short Hills or Millburn are often drawn to the combination of top ranked schools, long term value stability, and commuter convenience. More info on living in Short Hills or Millburn

School Overview

• Millburn Township School District is consistently ranked among the top school districts in New Jersey

• Exceptional performance across elementary, middle, and high school levels

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Notable School Rankings

• Wyoming Elementary School ranked number 4 Best Public Elementary School in New Jersey

• Hartshorn Elementary School ranked number 8 Best Public Elementary School in New Jersey

• Deerfield Elementary School ranked number 11 Best Public Elementary School in New Jersey

• Glenwood Elementary School ranked number 14 Best Public Elementary School in New Jersey

• Millburn Middle School ranked number 10 Best Public Middle School in New Jersey

• Millburn High School ranked number 16 Best Public High School in New Jersey and number 2 in Essex County

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District Structure

• 5 elementary schools

• 1 middle school

• 1 high school

This structure creates strong neighborhood elementary experiences followed by a unified middle and high school environment with broad academic offerings.

Livingston

Many families exploring Livingston NJ schools and neighborhoods appreciate the district’s size, consistency, and range of housing options. More info on Livingston NJ schools and neighborhoods

School Overview

• Livingston Public Schools consistently earn top overall ratings on Niche.com

• Recognized statewide for academics, teacher quality, and diversity

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Notable School Rankings

• Livingston Senior High School ranked number 14 Best Public High School in New Jersey and number 1 in Essex County

• Heritage Middle School ranked number 24 Best Public Middle School in New Jersey

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District Structure

• 6 elementary schools

• 2 middle schools

• 1 high school

Livingston’s size allows for extensive programming, flexibility, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular options.

Summit

For buyers searching for homes for sale in Summit NJ, school quality is often a major factor driving long term demand. Search homes for sale in Summit NJ

School Overview

• Summit Public School District consistently ranks among the top districts in New Jersey

• Strong balance of academics, athletics, and arts

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Notable School Rankings

• Summit High School ranked number 22 Best Public High School in New Jersey and number 5 in Union County

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District Structure

• 6 elementary schools

• 1 middle school

• 1 high school

This model supports close knit elementary communities with a unified middle and high school experience.

Chatham

Families researching Chatham NJ schools are often focused on academic rigor and the benefits of a smaller district environment. Learn more about Chatham.

School Overview

• The School District of the Chathams consistently ranks among the top districts in New Jersey

• Known for academic rigor and strong college readiness

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Notable School Rankings

• Chatham High School ranked number 24 Best Public High School in New Jersey and number 2 in Morris County

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District Structure

• 3 elementary schools

• 1 middle school

• 1 high school

Chatham’s smaller district structure supports a close knit academic environment and consistent outcomes.

How The Saritte Harel Team Helps City Buyers

The Saritte Harel Team specializes in helping NYC, Hoboken, and Jersey City families navigate the transition to New Jersey’s most desirable suburbs.

“We help families look beyond rankings alone. Understanding how a district functions day to day including class sizes, transitions, and community is just as important as the numbers.”- Saritte Harel

Our approach includes:

• Education on how New Jersey school systems work

• Strategic comparisons between towns and districts

• Insight into off market and coming soon opportunities

• Guidance on timing, preparation, and long term planning

   

We do not just help clients buy homes. We help them choose the right town for the next chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in town before enrolling in school
Yes. In most New Jersey suburbs, public school enrollment is tied directly to residency.

Are these school districts competitive or supportive
Many of these districts balance strong academics with broad student support and enrichment opportunities.

When should families start planning a move from the city to the suburbs
Ideally six to twelve months ahead, especially when school timing and inventory matter.

Thinking About Making the Move

If you are exploring a move from NYC, Hoboken, or Jersey City to the suburbs and want informed guidance on schools, neighborhoods, and long term value, our team is here to help.

Reach out to The Saritte Harel Team to start a thoughtful conversation about your transition from city living to suburban life.