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Below Average

#2034 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Carteret High School

High School · Carteret Public School District

199 WASHINGTON AVENUE, Carteret, NJ 07008

Enrollment

1,182

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carteret

#5 of 5

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#353 of 422

In district

#6 of 6

Carteret Public School District

Academic growth

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Carteret High School

Carteret High School serves 1,182 students in grades 9-12 in this working-class community in Middlesex County. With 87 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in core subjects.

Math proficiency stands at 12% across grade levels, while English Language Arts shows 32% of students performing at or above proficient levels. These results place Carteret High School in the 9th percentile among New Jersey high schools, ranking #2263 out of 2475 schools statewide. The surrounding community reflects a diverse economic landscape, with a median household income of $79,081 and median home values around $337,200.

About 28% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%. The school serves families from various backgrounds in this ZIP code area of approximately 25,170 residents. Despite academic challenges, the school's manageable class sizes could support focused improvement efforts.

Carteret High School sits in the heart of this large suburban community, serving as an integral part of the local educational landscape for families seeking public education options in Middlesex County.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,394

Carteret High School — Students at Carteret High School score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 16.7%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 41.9%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
19%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
58%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
18.7%
ELA
38.7%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Carteret High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.7/10
18th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
87 teachers

Location

199 WASHINGTON AVENUE, Carteret, NJ 07008

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carteret High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. EARLY COLLEGE CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), which scores notably higher. Additionally, YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF CARTERET INC. (rated 6.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carteret, see our Carteret schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Carteret Junior High School Carteret 0.0 mi 6.0
YESHIVA GEDOLAH OF CARTERET INC. Carteret 0.3 mi 6.2
Carteret Middle School Carteret 0.3 mi 5.5
Nathan Hale Elementary School Carteret 0.4 mi 6.9
GATEWAY SCHOOL Carteret 0.5 mi 7.5
Columbus Elementary School Carteret 0.5 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carteret 0.8 mi 7.0
Port Reading Avenue Elementary School Port Reading 1.0 mi 5.7
Private Nicholas Minue Elementary School Carteret 1.4 mi 5.3
Matthew Jago Elementary School Sewaren 2.3 mi 3.3
PS 26 CARTERET SCHOOL (THE) Staten Island 2.1 mi 8.6
KATHLEEN GRIMM SCHOOL FOR LEADERSHIP Staten Island 2.7 mi 7.4
PS 56 LOUIS DESARIO SCHOOL (THE) Staten Island 2.8 mi 6.0
PS 4 MAURICE WOLLIN Staten Island 2.6 mi 8.5
Number 2 Linden 2.9 mi 4.1
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Rahway 2.7 mi 5.8
IS 75 FRANK D PAULO Staten Island 3.0 mi 7.8
Avenel Street Elementary School Avenel 2.7 mi 5.8
ECYC, INC. EDUCATION WITH CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Rahway 3.1 mi
EARLY COLLEGE CHARTER SCHOOL Staten Island 3.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,712

Median Home Value

$370,100

Median Rent

$2,012/mo

Population

25,220

College Educated

27.7%

Homeownership

55.3%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

10%

Median Age

39.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carteret High School has a median household income of $87,712. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $370,100, with a median rent of $2,012/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. 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
Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy Elizabeth, NJ 4.7
Central Regional High School Bayville, NJ 4.7
DON BOSCO PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Ramsey, NJ 4.7
Ridgefield Park Jr Sr High School Ridgefield Park, NJ 4.7
Burlington Township High School Burlington, NJ 4.8
Cliffside Park High School Cliffside Park, NJ 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carteret High School

What grades does Carteret High School serve?

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

How many students attend Carteret High School?

Carteret High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,182 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Carteret High School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carteret High School rank in NJ?

Carteret High School is ranked #2034 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Carteret High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carteret High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Carteret High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carteret High School has 16.7% math proficiency and 41.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carteret High School a charter school?

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

Is Carteret High School a Title I school?

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

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

72.1% of students at Carteret 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,576/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,182
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
87
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex 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

Related reading

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