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#1654 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Discovery Charter School

Middle School · Discovery Charter School

240 Halsey St 2nd Fl., Newark, NJ 07102

Charter

Enrollment

106

Student-Teacher

17.7:1

Score

5.5

Grades

4th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#32 of 61

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#320 of 441

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Discovery Charter School

Discovery Charter School is a middle school located in the heart of Newark, New Jersey. Serving students from fourth to eighth grade, this charter school has an enrollment of 106 and a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, with six full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's setting in a large city provides a vibrant and diverse community for its students.

While Discovery Charter School currently ranks at the 32nd percentile among New Jersey schools, it focuses on providing personalized attention to each student through its manageable class sizes. In terms of academic performance, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 57%, with math showing 32% of students proficient or above. Science proficiency rates are currently at 0%.

These numbers indicate areas where the school can improve and emphasize additional support for students in these subjects. Despite its challenges, Discovery Charter School remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment within the bustling city of Newark.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 106 students, Discovery Charter 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.

Discovery Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,723

Discovery Charter School — Students at Discovery Charter School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.6%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 57.1%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 17 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
36.3%
ELA
57.2%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Discovery Charter School Compares

See how Discovery Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
33th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

240 Halsey St 2nd Fl., Newark, NJ 07102

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Charter School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Link Community Charter School (rated 6.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark 0.1 mi 4.1
ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark 0.3 mi 4.0
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 7.5
Arts High School Newark 0.3 mi 6.8
NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark 0.4 mi 5.6
The Gray Charter School Newark 0.4 mi 7.4
North Star Academy Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 4.6
Essex County Newark Tech Newark 0.6 mi 6.9
Oliver Street School Newark 0.6 mi 6.1
Quitman Street School Newark 0.6 mi 4.1
Link Community Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 6.1
South Street Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.0
East Ward Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.6
American History High School Newark 0.6 mi 7.2
Science Park High School Newark 0.7 mi 8.7
Lafayette Street School Newark 0.7 mi 4.8
Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark 1.0 mi 4.7
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 5.7
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.8 mi 7.1
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.8 mi 5.5

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 Discovery Charter 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
NEWMARK SCHOOL Scotch Plains, NJ 5.7
Ethel Hoppock Middle School Asbury, NJ 5.1
Nehaunsey Middle School Gibbstown, NJ 6.4
ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL Jersey City, NJ 6.4
SHEPARD SCHOOL Kinnelon, NJ 6.6
GUARDIAN ANGELS REGIONAL SCHOOL Paulsboro, NJ 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Charter School

What grades does Discovery Charter School serve?

Discovery Charter School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Charter School?

Discovery Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 106 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Charter School rank in NJ?

Discovery Charter School is ranked #1654 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Discovery Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Charter School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Discovery Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Charter School has 31.6% math proficiency and 57.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Discovery Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Discovery Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Discovery Charter School a Title I school?

No, Discovery Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Charter School?

62.3% of students at Discovery Charter 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
4th – 8th
Enrollment
106
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Discovery Charter School
District Enrollment
106
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,390
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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