Needs Improvement
#2390 of 2,466 schools in NJ
Alternative High School
High School · Paterson Public School District
350 MARKET STREET, Paterson, NJ 07501
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
3.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
New Jersey schools
#2,390 of 2,466
In Paterson
#38 of 46
public schools
In district
#35 of 43
Paterson Public School District
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Alternative High School
High School in Paterson · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Edward W. Kilpatrick
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alexander Hamilton Academy
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Alternative High School
Alternative High School is a public high school in Paterson, NJ, part of Paterson Public School District. Alternative High School serves approximately 118 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 5.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Alternative High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,390 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
Structured state assessment records for Alternative High School show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
- This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.6
- NJ avg 5.8
What Parents Should Know
At 118 students, Alternative High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 5.1:1 students to teachers, Alternative High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
88% of students at Alternative High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Alternative High School — Students at Alternative High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.3/10.
How Alternative High School Compares
See how Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 4.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Newcomers High School (rated 3.3/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eastside High School (rated 2.5/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 2.5 |
| Alexander Hamilton Academy Paterson | 0.2 mi | 5.0 |
| School 15 Paterson | 0.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Eastside High School Paterson | 0.2 mi | 2.5 |
| Dale Avenue Paterson | 0.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Paterson P-TECH High School Paterson | 0.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson | 0.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson | 0.4 mi | 7.6 |
| New Roberto Clemente Paterson | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Norman S. Weir Paterson | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Young Men's Academy Paterson | 0.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Newcomers High School Paterson | 0.4 mi | 3.3 |
| School 3 Paterson | 0.5 mi | 5.4 |
| School 24 Paterson | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| School 16 Paterson | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| School 8 Paterson | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| School 13 Paterson | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| COMPASSION HOUSE OUTREACH MNSTR & CHRSTAN EDUC CTR Paterson | 0.7 mi | — |
| School 28 Paterson | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atlantic County High School Mays Landing, NJ | 3.3 |
| Newcomers High School Paterson, NJ | 3.3 |
| ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark, NJ | 4.0 |
| Students Transitioning and Achieving Real Success Paterson, NJ | 4.0 |
| MESIVTA NER MOSHE Lakewood, NJ | 4.4 |
| Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy Pennington, NJ | 4.5 |
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 ranks #2,390 of 2,466 schools in NJ.
What is Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Alternative High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Alternative High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Alternative High School has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 88.1%
- Phone
- (973) 321-0110
Resources & Links
District
Paterson Public School District- District Enrollment
- 24,692
- Schools in District
- 43
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,885
- District Rank
- #35 of 43
Other Schools in This District
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