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Average

#923 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 37% in state

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

6.9

Grades

4th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#923 of 2,466

In Newark

#27 of 80

public schools

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Discovery Charter School

6.9/10

Middle School in Newark · grades 4th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School

4.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alif Muhammad Wia School

4.0/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Discovery Charter School

Discovery Charter School is a public middle school in Newark, NJ, part of Discovery Charter School. Discovery Charter School serves approximately 106 students, and covers grades 4th-8th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #923 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Charter School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with NJ schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 106 students, Discovery Charter 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.

Discovery Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+6.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-7.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.1 pts
Overall Proficiency53% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,390
Chronic Absenteeism22.6%

Discovery Charter School — Students at Discovery Charter School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 62.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 49 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
36.3%
ELA
57.2%
2025
Math
38%
ELA
68.3%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Discovery Charter School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
63th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 4.6
ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark 0.3 mi 4.0
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 3.5
Arts High School Newark 0.3 mi 6.2
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 5.8
Essex County Newark Tech Newark 0.6 mi 7.2
Oliver Street School Newark 0.6 mi 7.9
Quitman Street School Newark 0.6 mi 5.8
Link Community Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 7.0
South Street Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 8.2
East Ward Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.0
American History High School Newark 0.6 mi 5.1
Science Park High School Newark 0.7 mi 8.6
Lafayette Street School Newark 0.7 mi 7.2
Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark 1.0 mi 6.0
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 6.2
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.8 mi 8.7
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.8 mi 4.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL Jersey City, NJ 7.0
GUARDIAN ANGELS REGIONAL SCHOOL Paulsboro, NJ 6.7
THE WINSTON SCHOOL Short Hills, NJ 7.2
Avalon Elementary School Avalon, NJ 6.6
SHEPARD SCHOOL Kinnelon, NJ 6.6
Ethel Hoppock Middle School Asbury, NJ 7.3

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 ranks #923 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Discovery Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Discovery Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Charter School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
96 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.6%

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

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