If you’re interested in data I would look at the District factor groupings. District factor groups are created by looking at the following:

1. Percent of adults with no high school diploma
2. Percent of adults with some college education
3. Occupational status
4. Unemployment rate
5. Percent of individuals in poverty
6. Median family income.

Highest scoring districts are ranked J and lowest are ranked A. Typically J and I districts will have the higher test scores.

Everything that’s been said already is true the quality of schools will vary from town to town.

Speaking as a teacher though, the biggest factor to how your child does is how involved you are in their educations. Your kids could be in a mediocre school and they’ll rise to the top and be successful if you’re involved.

I went to Bloomfield College for two years. I always thought Bloomfield was a nice area. I’d walk around the area on breaks between classes and never felt unsafe. I think it just gets a bad reputation because of its proximity to Newark.