Best Schools in Newark, New Jersey
89 schools · 53 Elementary · 2 Middle · 21 High · 13 Other
Choosing a school in Newark?
Use this page to compare every school in Newark by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Michelle Obama Elementary School
Elementary · Newark Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School
Elementary · Newark Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
First Avenue School
Elementary · Newark Public School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Newark for 2026 are Michelle Obama Elementary School (9.8/10), Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School (8.7/10), and First Avenue School (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 78 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
89
80 public · 9 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$310,840
home value · ACS
Districts
17
serving the city
Schools
89
80 public · 9 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$310,840
home value · ACS
Districts
17
serving the city
Rates 9.8/10 despite 82% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.5 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Newark schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Newark
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 78 rated schools; 89 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Obama Elementary School | 9.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | First Avenue School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Science Park High School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | South Street Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Ann Street School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Ivy Hill Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 8 | University High School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Oliver Street School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Abington Avenue School | 7.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $43,863
- Median home value
- $310,840
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 23%
34% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Newark compares
New Jersey rank
#234 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.3
below New Jersey avg (6.4)
Median household income
$44k
37% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
85
Education Snapshot
Newark, New JerseyNewark's public school landscape spans 85 schools across 17 districts, serving roughly 64,487 students — one of the larger urban enrollment bases in New Jersey. The level mix skews elementary-heavy: 51 elementary schools versus 20 high schools and just 4 middle schools. MySchoolScout composite ratings average 6.1/10 across 84 scored schools, trailing the New Jersey state average of 6.4/10. Fourteen charter schools operate alongside district schools, giving families broader options than many comparably sized cities. The economic context matters: Newark's median household income of $50,269 sits 57% below the state median of $118,015, and 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — both well below New Jersey norms and consistent with the resource pressures reflected in the below-average ratings. Parents should filter by school type and charter status, since performance varies substantially within that 6.1 composite.
Newark Public School District runs 79% of Newark's public schools
Newark touches 17 districts, but Newark Public School District is the one most addresses actually attend.
Newark Public School District accounts for 63 of 80 public schools (79%). The other 16 districts hold the remaining 17.
Among 78 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.7 to 9.8 — the spread is inside Newark, not a citywide average.
14 of the 80 public schools are charters (18%), so the district split is not the whole market.
- Newark Public School District63 public · 79%
- Essex County Schools of Technology2 public · 3%
- Discovery Charter School1 public · 1%
- Gray Charter School1 public · 1%
- Great Oaks Legacy Charter School1 public · 1%
About Schools in Newark, New Jersey
Newark's public school system gives parents 80 ranked schools to choose from, with an average score of 5.7 out of 10. The spread around that average matters as much as the number itself. Nineteen schools — 24 percent of the ranked total — score 7 or higher, a meaningful cluster of high-performing options above the city mean. Families willing to research the full landscape will find both genuine standout programs and real variability depending on grade level and location.
At the top of the scale, Michelle Obama Elementary School scores 9.5 out of 10 — the highest in Newark. The high school tier runs deep at its ceiling: Science Park High School scores 9.0, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology 8.6, Technology High School 8.5, and Bard Early College High School 8.0. Four high schools above 8.0 is a strong concentration for a single city. Each follows a specialized track — science, technology, or early college — which means seats are competitive and applications are generally required regardless of home address.
The 5.7 city average signals uneven distribution across the system. Families zoned to neighborhood schools will typically find scores closer to that midpoint. The gap between top-tier programs and the overall average is wide, which makes school selection — not just neighborhood selection — the decision with the most consequence for Newark parents. That gap is especially pronounced at the high school level, where the five highest-scoring schools all top 8.0 while the city mean sits nearly three points lower.
The practical approach is to start early and focus on programs over proximity. The top high schools draw applicants from across the city, and application timelines matter. For families at the elementary stage, Michelle Obama Elementary is the clear performance leader. For middle and high school planning, the specialized program pipeline rewards early research. Use each school's MySchoolScout profile to compare against Newark's 5.7 average and understand exactly where a specific school lands before finalizing any decision.
Elementary Schools
53 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 169 students · Pre-K–4th | 9.8 |
| 2 | 220 students · Pre-K–4th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 1,057 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.6 |
| 4 | 870 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.2 |
| 5 | 1,236 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.1 |
| 6 | 467 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.1 |
| 7 | 1,042 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.9 |
| 8 | 833 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.7 |
| 9 | 881 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.6 |
| 10 | 597 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.6 |
Show all 53 elementary schools in Newark
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 358 students · Kindergarten–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 106 students · 4th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
21 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 970 students · 7th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 447 students · 8th–12th | 8.0 |
| 3 | 382 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
| 4 | 654 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 5 | 1,148 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 548 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 598 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 8 | 378 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 9 | 361 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
| 10 | 592 students · 9th–12th | 5.6 |
Show all 21 high schools in Newark
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,076 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.1 |
| 2 | 104 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.1 |
| 3 | 109 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.0 |
| 4 | 301 students · 9th–11th | 6.2 |
| 5 | 6,319 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.8 |
| 6 | 6,476 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.5 |
| 7 | 214 students · 9th–11th | 5.4 |
| 8 | 1,393 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.0 |
| 9 | 2,124 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.7 |
| 10 | 2,247 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.7 |
Show all 13 other schools in Newark
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Newark
Newark, New Jersey · 89 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 10 ZIP codes
Median Income
$43,863
Median Home Value
$310,840
Median Rent
$1,196/mo
Population
315,450
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
23%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
28.2%
Community Profile
Newark has a median household income of $43,863. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $310,840, with a median rent of $1,196/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- New Jersey
- Elementary
- 53
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 21
- Other
- 13
Resources
School Districts (17)
Discovery Charter School
1 school · 106 students
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
1 school · 1,402 students
New Horizons Community Charter School
1 school · 337 students
North Star Academy Charter School
1 school · 6,490 students
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
1 school · 702 students
Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School
1 school · 580 students
Gray Charter School
1 school · 339 students
TEAM Academy Charter School
1 school · 6,318 students
Newark Educators Community Charter School
1 school · 144 students
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
1 school · 2,124 students
Roseville Community Charter School
1 school · 286 students
Phillip's Academy Charter School
1 school · 673 students
Link Community Charter School
1 school · 358 students
KIPP: Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation
1 school · 2,247 students
LEAD Charter School
1 school · 280 students
Essex County Schools of Technology
3 schools · 2,053 students
Newark Public School District
64 schools · 42,791 students
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Newark, New Jersey
How many schools are in Newark, New Jersey?
Newark has 89 schools, including 80 public and 9 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Newark, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Newark is 6.1 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Newark, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Michelle Obama Elementary School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Newark, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Michelle Obama Elementary School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Newark, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Link Community Charter School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Newark, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Newark on MySchoolScout is Science Park High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Newark, New Jersey?
Newark is served by 17 school districts: Discovery Charter School, Marion P. Thomas Charter School, New Horizons Community Charter School, North Star Academy Charter School, Robert Treat Academy Charter School, Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School, Gray Charter School, Team Academy Charter School, Newark Educators Community Charter School, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, Roseville Community Charter School, Phillip's Academy Charter School, Link Community Charter School, Kipp: Cooper Norcross a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation, Lead Charter School, Essex County Schools of Technology, Newark Public School District.
What is the education level in Newark, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Newark have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Newark, New Jersey?
The median household income in Newark is approximately $43,863 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Newark, New Jersey?
Yes, Newark has 9 private schools alongside 80 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Vincent Academy with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Newark, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Newark is 14.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Newark, New Jersey?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, New Jersey Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.