Paterson Public School District
School District · Paterson, New Jersey
Avg Rating
5.2
out of 10
Schools
43
30 elem, 3 mid, 9 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Avg Rating
5.2
out of 10
Schools
43
30 elem, 3 mid, 9 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Evaluating Paterson Public School District?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Paterson Public School District as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
School 1
Paterson · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Norman S. Weir
Paterson · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Charles J. Riley/ School 9
Paterson · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
New Jersey rank
#363 of 398
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-1.2
below New Jersey avg
Per-pupil spending
$27,885
+$2,276 vs New Jersey median
District size
24,692 students
Much larger than New Jersey median
The short answer
Paterson Public School District ranks #363 of 398 New Jersey districts by overall school rating. Paterson Public School District's schools with real test data average 5.2/10 across 41 schools. Its top-rated schools are School 1 (8.4/10), Norman S. Weir (8.3/10), and Charles J. Riley/ School 9 (8.1/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 8.3/10 despite 70% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.0 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 Paterson Public School District schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Paterson Public School District
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (41 of 43). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | School 1 | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Norman S. Weir | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Charles J. Riley/ School 9 | 8.1 / 10 |
| 4 | School 28 | 7.4 / 10 |
| 5 | School 2 | 7.3 / 10 |
| 6 | School 7 | 7.3 / 10 |
| 7 | School 19 | 7.1 / 10 |
| 8 | School 5 | 6.6 / 10 |
| 9 | School 15 | 6.6 / 10 |
| 10 | School 18 | 6.3 / 10 |
See all 43 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Paterson Public School District
Paterson Public School District is a Paterson, New Jersey school district serving 43 schools. The district educates 24,692 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. The district invests $27,885 per student annually.
With an average rating of 5.2/10, Paterson Public School District demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is School 1, which has a composite score of 8.4/10.
In standardized testing, Paterson Public School District students show an average math proficiency of 24.2% and ELA proficiency of 31.6%.
The district includes 30 elementary schools , 3 middle schools , and 9 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Paterson Public School District, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Paterson Public School District with test data.
Schools in Paterson Public School District
43 schools Elementary Schools 30
Middle Schools 3
High Schools 9
Other Schools 1
District Details
- State
- New Jersey
- City
- Paterson
- Total Enrollment
- 24,692
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1,762
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.3%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Paterson Public School District?
Paterson Public School District has 43 schools in total — 30 elementary, 3 middle, and 9 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Paterson Public School District?
The average composite rating for Paterson Public School District is 5.2/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Paterson Public School District?
Paterson Public School District spends $27,885 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Paterson Public School District?
The average student-teacher ratio in Paterson Public School District is 14:1.
What is the top-rated school in Paterson Public School District?
School 1 is the highest-rated school in Paterson Public School District with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What are the test scores in Paterson Public School District?
Across schools in Paterson Public School District with test data, the average math proficiency is 24.2% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 31.6%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Paterson Public School District compare to other districts in New Jersey?
Paterson Public School District has an average school rating of 5.2/10 across 43 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in New Jersey by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.2/10
- Math Proficiency
- 24.2%
- ELA Proficiency
- 31.6%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in NJ
Compare Paterson Public School District with neighboring districts in the state.
- Newark Public School District (64)
- Jersey City Public Schools (39)
- Elizabeth Public Schools (37)
- Trenton Public School District (25)
- Woodbridge Township School District (24)
- Hamilton Township Public School District (23)
- East Orange School District (20)
- Cherry Hill School District (19)
- Clifton Public School District (19)
- Edison Township School District (19)
- Passaic City School District (19)
- Toms River Regional School District (18)
- Camden City School District (16)
- Middletown Township Public School District (16)
- Plainfield Public School District (15)
- Wayne Township Public School District (15)
- Old Bridge Township School District (14)
- Parsippany-troy Hills Township School District (14)
- Union City School District (14)
- Vineland Public School District (14)
- Bayonne School District (13)
- West Orange Public Schools (13)
- Brick Township Public School District (12)
- Howell Township Public School District (12)
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.
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