Average
#987 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Top 40% in state
Academy for Performing Arts
High School · Union County Vocational-technical School District · Scotch Plains, NJ
An Union County Vocational-technical School District high school where students score 12 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1776 RARITAN ROAD, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
- Math 60% vs NJ 44% (2025)
- Reading 95% vs NJ 50% (2025)
- 90%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Academy for Performing Arts score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).
2025 NJSLA proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NJ average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 18 points across the 16-year record (2010–2025) and has held near 78% recently.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 74% (multi-year average, 2010-2025) · reading/ELA 91% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from NJ state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
5.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Academy for Performing Arts sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the New York map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 13Car-Dependent
- Bike 25Somewhat Bikeable
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Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$173,564
Median home value
$696,900
Median rent
$1,816/mo
College educated
65%
Homeownership
81.1%
Poverty rate
2.8%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 07076; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy for Allied Health SciencesEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 304 | Compare → |
| Academy for Information TechnologyEnrollment path unverified | 6.5 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 303 | Compare → |
| Union County Career & Technical InstituteEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 17 | Compare → |
| Union County Magnet High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.2 | 9–12 | 0.0 mi | 311 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Union County Vocational-technical School District
- Schools in district
- 8
- Rank in district
- #4 of 5
- District spending per student
- $22,838NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- The source release did not match this district identifier.
Academy for Performing Arts is listed in Union County Vocational-Technical School District; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Academy for Performing Arts
Academy for Performing Arts is a public high school in Scotch Plains, NJ, part of Union County Vocational-technical School District, serving approximately 240 students in grades 9th-12th with a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #987 of 2,466 schools in NJ. State assessment records show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
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 240 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Academy for Performing Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Academy for Performing Arts is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Academy for Performing Arts rank in NJ?
Academy for Performing Arts ranks #987 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Academy for Performing Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Academy for Performing Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Academy for Performing Arts?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Academy for Performing Arts has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
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.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Academy for Performing Arts?
5.8% of students at Academy for Performing Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 240
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Union County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 9.6%
- Phone
- (908) 889-8288
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
- Area population (ZIP 07076)
- 24,667
- Area average commute
- 35.2 min
- Area median age
- 42.7
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NJSLA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 NJSLA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NJSLA · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2025 NJSLA. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- State assessments · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 07076; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2010-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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