Very Good
#534 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 22% in state
Academy for Performing Arts
High School · Morris County Vocational School District
50 Knoll Drive, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Enrollment
144
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
144
Score
7.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey high schools
#90 of 422
In district
#3 of 5
Morris County Vocational School District
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Academy for Performing Arts
Academy for Performing Arts is a vocational/technical high school serving grades 9–12 in Rockaway, located in Morris County's large suburban area. With 144 students, the school offers a specialized learning environment focused on performance-based education. The school demonstrates solid overall performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5/10 and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide (#500 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools).
Academically, the school scores 8.9/10, with particularly strong results in ELA and reading, where 86% of students perform at or above proficiency levels. Mathematics proficiency sits at 47%, indicating an area where students are developing their skills. As a vocational/technical institution, Academy for Performing Arts likely provides hands-on training and specialized instruction geared toward career pathways in the performing arts field, which shapes its academic focus and educational approach.
The intimate student body size allows for more personalized attention within the school's specialized programming. For families interested in performance-based vocational education in a suburban New Jersey setting, this school offers a distinct educational path focused on practical, career-oriented training in the arts.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 144 students, Academy for Performing Arts is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Academy for Performing Arts — Students at Academy for Performing Arts score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Academy for Performing Arts Compares
See how Academy for Performing Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49.5% (2019) to 54.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 95% (2019) to 84.5% (2022).
Location
50 Knoll Drive, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Academy for Performing Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Morris Knolls High School (rated 9.2/10, in nearby Denville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Morris Hills High School (rated 8.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Rockaway, see our Rockaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Morris Knolls High School Denville | 0.0 mi | 9.2 |
| BRIDGES TO LEARNING Rockaway | 0.4 mi | — |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle School Rockaway | 0.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Lincoln Elementary School Rockaway | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Lakeview Elementary School Denville | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| DIVINE MERCY ACADEMY/DIOCESE Rockaway | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Morris Hills High School Rockaway | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Academy for Mathematics Science and Engineering Rockaway | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| MORRIS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Denville | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Riverview Elementary School Denville | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Morris County School of Technology Denville | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Stony Brook Elementary School Rockaway | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Birchwood Elementary School Dover | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Copeland Middle School Rockaway | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Dover Middle School Dover | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| East Dover Elementary School Dover | 2.1 mi | 3.9 |
| Mount Tabor Elementary School Mount Tabor | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Dennis B O'Brien Elementary School Dover | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Valleyview Middle School Denville | 2.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Catherine A Dwyer Elementary School Wharton | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07866 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$123,828
Median Home Value
$434,200
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Population
22,632
College Educated
50.2%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
45.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Academy for Performing Arts has a median household income of $123,828. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $434,200, with a median rent of $1,604/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cape May County High School Cape May Court House, NJ | 7.6 |
| Lodi MS HS Lodi, NJ | 7.6 |
| Mercer High School Hamilton, NJ | 7.6 |
| Alternative High School Paterson, NJ | 7.5 |
| COLLIER SCHOOL Wickatunk, NJ | 7.5 |
| Future Foundations Academy (FFA) Piscataway, NJ | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Academy for Performing Arts
What grades does Academy for Performing Arts serve?
Academy for Performing Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Academy for Performing Arts?
Academy for Performing Arts has an enrollment of approximately 144 students.
How does Academy for Performing Arts rank in NJ?
Academy for Performing Arts is ranked #534 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Academy for Performing Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Academy for Performing Arts has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Academy for Performing Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Academy for Performing Arts has 46.8% math proficiency and 86.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Academy for Performing Arts a charter school?
No, Academy for Performing Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Academy for Performing Arts a Title I school?
No, Academy for Performing Arts is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 144
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Morris County
- Phone
- (973) 664-2201
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Morris County Vocational School District- District Enrollment
- 1,269
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,675
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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 methodologyRelated reading
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