How many children are in the average seventh-grade classroom at the Red Bank Middle School, and how does that compare to the statewide average?

What percentage of the cost of operating two schools in the Rumson district comes directly from borough taxpayers, and how does that compare to nearby districts?

Where can one get math and verbal-skills proficiency results for students at Red Bank Regional?

NJ Spotlight, a public-issues news site launched earlier this year, has compiled and posted comprehensive data on every New Jersey public school’s performance and spending.

The info includes test scores, average per-pupil expenditures and how much each spends on clubs and sports.

From an announcement by NJ Spotlight editor John Mooney:

The School Report Card is one of many data tools that we plan to provide our readers, giving them a look at important statistics and measurements in informative and innovative ways.

While much of the school data has been available in a variety of places online, NJ Spotlight has created a graphical interface that allows you to build your own reports and see at a glance how your school stacks up against the averages. You can compare your school with others by opening a second window.

NJ Spotlight was started by a team led by ex-Star-Ledger reporter Mooney, a longtime education reporter, and Tom Johnson, who covered energy issues for the newspaper.