Burlington County School Districts Ranked: 2026 Guide for Families

Burlington County School Overview: A District for Every Family

Burlington County covers over 800 square miles of South Jersey and is home to roughly 460,000 residents. Its school districts range from nationally recognized top performers like Moorestown Township Public Schools to solid, family-friendly districts like Delran and Cinnaminson that deliver excellent value. The county feeds into some of the strongest high schools in New Jersey, including Moorestown High School, Shawnee High School, Cherokee High School, and Lenape High School, all of which rank well above state averages in college readiness and graduation rates.

What sets Burlington County apart from other parts of New Jersey is the variety. You can choose a historic borough with a walkable downtown and award-winning schools (Moorestown, Haddonfield), a suburban community with strong schools and reasonable home prices (Mount Laurel, Delran), or a more rural setting with excellent regional high schools (Medford, Shamong). The county also benefits from one of the lowest county-portion property tax rates in New Jersey, though local school taxes vary significantly by municipality.

This guide ranks and compares every major district using the most current data available from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Niche, and New Jersey Department of Education. Whether you are a first-time buyer trying to find an affordable town with good schools or a growing family looking for your long-term community, this breakdown will help you make an informed decision.

Cinnaminson Township Public Schools

Niche Grade: A- | Enrollment: ~2,940 students | Student-Teacher Ratio: 11.8:1

Cinnaminson sits along the Delaware River and offers one of the best combinations of school quality and home affordability in Burlington County. The district serves roughly 2,940 students across five schools (PreK-12). Cinnaminson High School is well-regarded for its college preparatory programs, and the district's student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 allows for more individualized attention than many larger districts.

Why families choose Cinnaminson: The schools are strong without commanding the premium prices of Moorestown or Haddonfield. Median home prices in Cinnaminson sit around $410,000, making it significantly more accessible. The commute to Philadelphia is straightforward via Route 130 or the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, and the community has a genuine small-town feel. The school district has seen steady enrollment growth as more families discover the value proposition.

Delran Township School District

Niche Grade: B | Enrollment: ~2,907 students | Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1

Delran is one of the most improved and fastest-growing school districts in Burlington County. With an enrollment of roughly 2,900 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 (one of the lowest in the county), Delran offers a learning environment where students get meaningful attention. The district has invested heavily in facilities and programs in recent years, and the results are showing in improved test scores and graduation rates.

Why families choose Delran: Value. The median home price in Delran is approximately $370,000, making it one of the most affordable communities in the county with a solid school system. First-time buyers and young families are drawn to Delran precisely because they can get a good education for their children without stretching their budget. The community has invested in new parks, sports facilities, and the Delran Intermediate School.

Mount Laurel Schools

Niche Grade: A | Enrollment: ~4,592 students | Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1

Mount Laurel operates its own K-8 district serving roughly 4,600 students across six elementary schools and one middle school. For high school, students attend Lenape High School as part of the Lenape Regional High School District. Mount Laurel's elementary and middle schools are well-regarded, and the connection to Lenape High School gives students access to a broad range of AP courses and extracurricular programs.

Why families choose Mount Laurel: Location is a major draw. Mount Laurel has direct access to the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 295, and is close to major employers, shopping centers, and medical facilities. The median home price of approximately $430,000 is reasonable for the quality of schools and the convenience of the location. The housing stock is diverse, ranging from townhomes and condos to spacious single-family homes.

Medford Lakes and Medford Township Schools

Niche Grade: A- | Student-Teacher Ratio: ~11:1

Medford operates its own K-8 system (Medford Township Schools), and Medford Lakes operates a separate K-8 district (Medford Lakes School District). Both send their high school students to Shawnee High School in the Lenape Regional district. The elementary experiences differ between the two towns, but both feed into one of the highest-rated high schools in the state.

Why families choose Medford and Medford Lakes: The lifestyle is unique. Medford offers larger lots, equestrian properties, and a quieter suburban feel, while Medford Lakes is known for its private lake communities with beach access and canoeing. Both offer excellent educational outcomes through Shawnee High School, which consistently earns an A+ Niche grade. Median home prices in Medford are around $520,000, while Medford Lakes tends to be slightly higher due to the lake community premium.

What Makes a School District Great Beyond Test Scores

Test scores and rankings matter, but they only tell part of the story. A district's Niche grade or GreatSchools rating is a useful starting point, but the school that is right for your child depends on factors that no score can capture. Here is what to consider beyond the rankings.

Extracurricular Depth

A district with strong arts, music, athletics, and club programs can make a profound difference in a child's development. Moorestown and Cherry Hill are known for their broad extracurricular offerings, including award-winning theater programs, competitive robotics teams, and dozens of student clubs. Smaller districts like Delran and Cinnaminson may offer fewer total options but often provide more accessible pathways for students to participate and lead. Visit the district website and look at the course catalog and activities list before you decide.

Community Involvement

Parent-teacher organizations, volunteer programs, and community fundraising are strong indicators of a healthy school environment. Towns with active parent communities, like Moorestown, Medford, and Mount Laurel, tend to have higher engagement and supplemental funding for programs that budgets alone cannot support. Talk to parents in the district during an open house or community event. Their honest feedback will tell you more than any brochure.

Diversity and Inclusion

Burlington County is becoming increasingly diverse, and the best districts are those that embrace and support that diversity. Cherry Hill, for example, has strong English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and cultural celebration events. Lenape Regional High School District has active diversity and inclusion initiatives across its four high schools. For families moving from more diverse metropolitan areas, this can be an important factor in how quickly children adjust to their new school.

Class Size and Individual Attention

Burlington County districts generally have favorable student-teacher ratios, ranging from 10:1 in smaller districts like Medford Lakes to 12.5:1 in larger districts like Cherry Hill and Lenape Regional. For students who benefit from more individualized attention, districts with lower ratios can be a meaningful advantage. Delran's 11:1 ratio, for example, is among the best in the county and allows teachers to provide more tailored support.

Special Education and Learning Support

If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, the quality of special education services should be a top consideration. Reach out to the district's special education department directly. Ask about class placement options, support staff ratios, and the process for developing and reviewing IEPs. Larger districts like Cherry Hill and Lenape Regional typically have more specialized staff and resources, but smaller districts like Cinnaminson and Delran often provide more personalized coordination.

College and Career Readiness

Beyond graduation rates, look at AP course offerings, dual-enrollment programs with local colleges, and career and technical education (CTE) pathways. Lenape Regional High School District offers a particularly strong CTE program through the Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) partnership. Moorestown and Cherry Hill offer extensive AP programs. If your child is college-bound, ask about the percentage of students taking AP exams and the average scores.

How to Research Schools When Relocating to Burlington County

If you are moving to South Jersey from another state or region, the school research process can feel overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step approach to find the right district for your family.

Step 1: Start with Rankings, But Don't Stop There

Use Niche and GreatSchools to build your initial list. Niche offers letter grades for entire districts and individual schools, while GreatSchools provides detailed test score data and equity ratings. Both are free and easy to use. Create a shortlist of 4 to 6 districts that match your academic priorities.

Step 2: Check School Feeder Patterns Carefully

Burlington County's school organization can be confusing. Some towns have standalone K-12 districts (Moorestown, Cinnaminson, Delran). Others have separate elementary districts that feed into a regional high school (Mount Laurel feeds into Lenape High School; Medford and Medford Lakes feed into Shawnee High School). Confirm exactly which elementary, middle, and high school your address would serve before you make an offer on a home.

Step 3: Visit Schools in Person

Most districts offer tours for prospective families. Walk the halls, talk to teachers, and observe classrooms if possible. The feel of a school cannot be captured in data. Pay attention to how staff interact with students, the condition of facilities, and the overall energy of the building.

Step 4: Talk to Local Parents

Neighborhood Facebook groups, local parent networks, and community forums are invaluable. Parents will give you honest feedback about class sizes, teacher quality, administrative responsiveness, and the social environment. The HomeCircle community directory can connect you with resources in each town.

Step 5: Consider the Whole Picture

Factor in commute times, property taxes, housing costs, and after-school care availability. A district with top test scores does not help if the commute makes family life unsustainable. Burlington County offers enough variety that you can find a balance that works for your specific situation.