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Very Good

#607 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 25% in state

Alternative High School

High School · Paterson Public School District

350 MARKET STREET, Paterson, NJ 07501

Enrollment

118

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paterson

#4 of 42

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#107 of 422

In district

#4 of 42

Paterson Public School District

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Alternative High School

Alternative High School in Paterson, New Jersey offers a unique educational experience for students in grades 9 through 12. With an enrollment of just 118 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment that focuses on individual growth and development. The school is located in a large suburban area within Passaic County, making it easily accessible to many families in the Paterson region.

Alternative High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks as the 47th percentile among New Jersey high schools, highlighting areas for academic improvement but also showcasing its strengths in supporting diverse student needs. On standardized tests, 19% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 11% demonstrate proficiency in Math. The school is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive community where every student can find their path forward.

Alternative High School stands out as an option for those seeking an alternative approach to traditional high school settings, offering tailored support within its suburban Paterson setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 118 students, Alternative High School 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, Alternative High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness6.9Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,820

Alternative High School — Students at Alternative High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 10.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 19.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 10.0/10.

How Alternative High School Compares

See how Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
75th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

350 MARKET STREET, Paterson, NJ 07501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Paterson P-TECH High School (rated 5.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Eastside High School (rated 3.2/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Paterson, see our Paterson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson 0.2 mi 7.1
Alexander Hamilton Academy Paterson 0.2 mi 3.2
School 15 Paterson 0.3 mi 5.8
Eastside High School Paterson 0.2 mi 3.2
Dale Avenue Paterson 0.3 mi 6.1
Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.3 mi 4.6
Paterson P-TECH High School Paterson 0.3 mi 5.2
Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson 0.4 mi 3.0
Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson 0.4 mi 8.1
New Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.4 mi 4.6
Norman S. Weir Paterson 0.4 mi 5.3
Young Men's Academy Paterson 0.4 mi 6.5
Newcomers High School Paterson 0.4 mi
School 3 Paterson 0.5 mi 4.9
School 24 Paterson 0.6 mi 4.7
School 16 Paterson 0.8 mi 4.0
School 8 Paterson 0.8 mi 6.0
School 13 Paterson 0.6 mi 4.0
COMPASSION HOUSE OUTREACH MNSTR & CHRSTAN EDUC CTR Paterson 0.7 mi
School 28 Paterson 0.8 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,699

Median Home Value

$304,400

Median Rent

$1,442/mo

Population

35,321

College Educated

8.9%

Homeownership

16%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

27.7%

Median Age

31.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alternative High School has a median household income of $40,699. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,400, with a median rent of $1,442/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
COLLIER SCHOOL Wickatunk, NJ 7.5
Future Foundations Academy (FFA) Piscataway, NJ 7.5
Academy for Performing Arts Rockaway, NJ 7.6
Cape May County High School Cape May Court House, NJ 7.6
Hillcrest Academy-South Westfield, NJ 7.6
Hope Academy Passaic, NJ 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alternative High School

What grades does Alternative High School serve?

Alternative High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Alternative High School?

Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alternative High School is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alternative High School rank in NJ?

Alternative High School is ranked #607 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alternative High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alternative High School has 10.8% math proficiency and 19.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alternative High School a charter school?

No, Alternative High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alternative High School a Title I school?

No, Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alternative High School?

61.9% of students at Alternative High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,339/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paterson). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paterson Public School District
District Enrollment
24,692
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
District Rank
#4 of 42

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 methodology

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