Average
#1616 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Benjamin Banneker Academy
Elementary School · East Orange School District
500 South Clinton Street, East Orange, NJ 07018
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In East Orange
#10 of 22
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#962 of 1,496
In district
#9 of 20
East Orange School District
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Benjamin Banneker Academy
Benjamin Banneker Academy is an elementary school located in East Orange, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With a total enrollment of 487 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Benjamin Banneker Academy shows room for improvement, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and state ranking of #1949 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey (21st percentile).
In standardized testing, the school has achieved proficiency rates of 39% in ELA/Reading and 14% in Math, while Science scores are at 0%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to student development and growth. Benjamin Banneker Academy is situated in a large suburban area, offering students access to diverse community resources and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Benjamin Banneker Academy — Students at Benjamin Banneker Academy score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 19 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Benjamin Banneker Academy Compares
See how Benjamin Banneker Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 43% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
500 South Clinton Street, East Orange, NJ 07018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Benjamin Banneker Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dionne Warwick Institute (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ivy Hill Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fourteenth Avenue School (rated 6.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Orange, see our East Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,039
Median Home Value
$314,100
Median Rent
$1,410/mo
Population
28,261
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
22.3%
Avg Commute
32.2 min
Poverty Rate
18.1%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Benjamin Banneker Academy has a median household income of $59,039. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,100, with a median rent of $1,410/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Benjamin C Gregory Elementary School Trenton, NJ | 5.6 |
| Clara E Coleman School Glen Rock, NJ | 5.6 |
| Clark Mills School Manalapan, NJ | 5.6 |
| Dutch Neck Elementary School West Windsor, NJ | 5.6 |
| E Raymond Appleby Elementary School Spotswood, NJ | 5.6 |
| George E. Wilson Elementary School Hamilton, NJ | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Benjamin Banneker Academy
What grades does Benjamin Banneker Academy serve?
Benjamin Banneker Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Benjamin Banneker Academy?
Benjamin Banneker Academy has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Banneker Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Benjamin Banneker Academy is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Benjamin Banneker Academy rank in NJ?
Benjamin Banneker Academy is ranked #1616 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Benjamin Banneker Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Benjamin Banneker Academy has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Benjamin Banneker Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Benjamin Banneker Academy has 13.8% math proficiency and 39.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Benjamin Banneker Academy a charter school?
No, Benjamin Banneker Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Benjamin Banneker Academy a Title I school?
No, Benjamin Banneker Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Benjamin Banneker Academy?
59.8% of students at Benjamin Banneker Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,446/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Orange). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 266-4320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
East Orange School District- District Enrollment
- 9,337
- Schools in District
- 20
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,491
- District Rank
- #9 of 20
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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