Best Schools in Passaic, New Jersey

Passaic, New Jersey has 19 ranked public schools spanning elementary through high school. The city's average school score is 6.6 out of 10, which understates the opportunity at the top: 9 of 19 schools (47%) score 7 or higher, giving parents a genuine spread of strong options across grade levels.

The highest-rated school in Passaic is the Gifted and Talented Academy School No. 20, a middle school scoring 9.0 out of 10. Two high schools follow close behind — Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering at 8.9 and Passaic Preparatory Academy at 8.1 — making Passaic's upper-school tier its strongest segment. The elementary level has standouts too: Sonia Sotomayor School #21 scores 7.5, and Casimir Pulaski School No. 8 earns a 7.4, both well above the city average.

That average of 6.6 reflects real variation within the district. Three schools score 8.0 or above; others fall below the city mean. The concentration of high scores in schools with specialized names — gifted and talented, science and engineering, preparatory — suggests families will want to understand enrollment eligibility before assuming their child has automatic access to the highest-performing campuses. Assignment zone and program criteria matter here.

The practical takeaway: Passaic has a stronger public school landscape than a 6.6 average implies, with nearly half its schools clearing 7 out of 10. The top tier is anchored by specialized programs, so research into eligibility requirements is an early priority. For families in the general-enrollment path, Sonia Sotomayor School #21 is the strongest elementary option, and both top high schools give older students access to rigorous academic environments. Start the search at the school level, not just the district level.