Best Schools in Union City, New Jersey
17 schools · 11 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $65,369
- Median home value
- $446,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 20%
53% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Union City compares
New Jersey rank
#96 of 344
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above New Jersey avg (6.3)
Median household income
$65k
55% of New Jersey median
Schools in this city
17
About Schools in Union City, New Jersey
Union City, New Jersey operates 14 ranked public schools with an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 — a competitive baseline for a small urban district. Nine of those 14 schools, or 64%, score 7 or higher, meaning parents have a real selection of strong options rather than a single standout surrounded by underperformers.
Jose Marti STEM Academy leads the city with a 9.2 out of 10, making it the clear top performer and a meaningful differentiator for families with high schoolers focused on science, technology, engineering, or math. That score places it well above the city average and signals consistent academic outcomes. The elementary tier is equally encouraging: Colin Powell Elementary (8.3), Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education (8.1), Thomas A Edison Elementary (8.0), and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary (7.6) all clear the 7-plus threshold, giving parents of younger children several credible choices before the secondary years.
The early childhood picture is worth highlighting. Hostos Center's 8.1 rating at the pre-K and early elementary level suggests the district invests in foundational learning, not just test-prep at the middle and high school stages. Families moving into Union City with young children can enter the system with confidence rather than waiting until a STEM-focused secondary option opens up.
Practically, Union City's schools profile rewards early research. With 64% of schools above the 7-point mark and the strongest concentrations at the elementary and specialized high school levels, the main variable for parents is fit — STEM track versus general curriculum, elementary zone assignment versus open-enrollment options. The gap between the top score (9.2 at Jose Marti) and the city average (6.8) is just over two points, which is a narrower spread than many comparable urban districts. That compression means the floor is relatively high even if a family doesn't land in a top-five school. Start with Jose Marti for high school planning and any of the four 8-plus elementary schools for early grades.
Elementary Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 779 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 881 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 | ||
| 3 | 702 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 | ||
| 4 | 303 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 7.9 | ||
| 5 | 1,019 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.8 | ||
| 6 | 531 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 7 | 394 students · 1st–8th | 6.6 | ||
| 8 | 316 students · Pre-K–4th | 5.8 | ||
| 9 | 761 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.6 | ||
| 10 | 300 students · Pre-K–3rd | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST FRANCIS ACADEMY
Private
240 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 902 students · 7th–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 1,023 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 588 students · 9th–12th | 9.1 |
| 2 | 3,089 students · 9th–12th | 4.0 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY
Private
89 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | RISING STAR ACADEMY
Private
216 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Union City
Union City, New Jersey · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,369
Median Home Value
$446,800
Median Rent
$1,489/mo
Population
66,375
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
20%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Community Profile
Union City has a median household income of $65,369. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,800, with a median rent of $1,489/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- New Jersey
- Total Schools
- 17
- Elementary
- 11
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Districts
- 1
- Avg Rating
- 7.0/10
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in New Jersey
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Union City, New Jersey
How many schools are in Union City, New Jersey?
Union City has 17 schools, including 14 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Union City, New Jersey?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Union City is 7.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Union City, New Jersey?
The top-ranked school in Union City on MySchoolScout is Jose Marti Stem Academy with a composite score of 9.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Union City, New Jersey?
The top-ranked elementary school in Union City on MySchoolScout is Thomas a Edison Elementary School with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Union City, New Jersey?
The top-ranked middle school in Union City on MySchoolScout is Union Hill Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Union City, New Jersey?
The top-ranked high school in Union City on MySchoolScout is Jose Marti Stem Academy with a composite score of 9.1/10.
How many school districts serve Union City, New Jersey?
Union City is served by 1 school district: Union City School District.
What is the education level in Union City, New Jersey?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Union City have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Union City, New Jersey?
The median household income in Union City is approximately $65,369 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Union City, New Jersey?
Yes, Union City has 3 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Miftaahul Uloom Academy with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Union City, New Jersey?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Union City is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Union City, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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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.