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Average

#996 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 40% in state

Arts High School

High School · Newark Public School District

550 M L KING BLVD, Newark, NJ 07102

Enrollment

598

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#19 of 61

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#168 of 422

In district

#18 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Arts High School

Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey is a regular public high school that enrolls students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 598 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to its students. The academic performance at Arts High places it around the middle percentile in New Jersey, with room for improvement particularly in math proficiency, where only 18% of students are proficient or above.

However, the ELA/Reading scores show that about half of the students meet or exceed proficiency standards. Arts High School is situated in a vibrant city environment and aims to provide an enriching educational experience focused on the arts. Despite the challenges reflected in its current academic rankings, the school continues to work towards enhancing student development and achievement.

Located in the heart of Newark, Arts High School sits at 550 MLK Boulevard and benefits from being part of a dynamic urban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,990

Arts High School — Students at Arts High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.6%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 49.6%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 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
13%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
16.4%
ELA
62.3%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Arts High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

550 M L KING BLVD, Newark, NJ 07102

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Arts High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science Park High School (rated 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, American History High School (rated 7.2/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 0.1 mi 7.5
Quitman Street School Newark 0.3 mi 4.1
Discovery Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 5.5
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 4.1
Essex County Newark Tech Newark 0.4 mi 6.9
American History High School Newark 0.4 mi 7.2
NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark 0.5 mi 5.6
Science Park High School Newark 0.5 mi 8.7
ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark 0.5 mi 4.0
Link Community Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 6.1
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.5 mi 5.7
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 7.1
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.5 mi 5.5
The Gray Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 7.4
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 7.1
ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark 0.7 mi 8.0
North Star Academy Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 4.6
Central High School Newark 0.7 mi 5.6
Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark 0.9 mi 4.7
Oliver Street School Newark 0.8 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07102 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,093

Median Home Value

$293,900

Median Rent

$1,141/mo

Population

12,954

College Educated

30.5%

Homeownership

5.5%

Avg Commute

35.4 min

Poverty Rate

31.4%

Median Age

32.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Arts High School has a median household income of $37,093. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,900, with a median rent of $1,141/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DE PAUL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Wayne, NJ 6.8
NEW JERSEY CENTER FOR JUDAIC STDS Lakewood, NJ 6.7
Park Ridge High School Park Ridge, NJ 6.7
Sussex County Technical School Sparta, NJ 6.7
Asbury Park High School Asbury Park, NJ 6.9
Essex County Newark Tech Newark, NJ 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Arts High School

What grades does Arts High School serve?

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

How many students attend Arts High School?

Arts High School has an enrollment of approximately 598 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Arts High School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Arts High School rank in NJ?

Arts High School is ranked #996 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Arts High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Arts High School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Arts High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arts High School has 17.6% math proficiency and 49.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Arts High School a charter school?

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

Is Arts High School a Title I school?

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

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

63.2% of students at Arts 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

City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
598
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
63.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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