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Needs Improvement

#2452 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

Elementary School · Paterson Public School District

851 E 28TH STREET, Paterson, NJ 07513

Enrollment

505

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,452 of 2,466

In Paterson

#44 of 46

public schools

In district

#41 of 43

Paterson Public School District

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

3.0/10

Elementary School in Paterson · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

School 24

5.5/10

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

School 20

4.3/10

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

About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is a public elementary school in Paterson, NJ, part of Paterson Public School District.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex serves approximately 505 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,452 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

50% of students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.1 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,885
Chronic Absenteeism49.7%

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex — Students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.0% (2025 NJSLA)
ELA Proficiency 27.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NJSLA)

Based on 40 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
58%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
48%
2014
Math
16%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
16%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
9%
ELA
19%
2019
Math
9%
ELA
19%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
6%
ELA
21.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex Compares

See how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.7%

Location

851 E 28TH STREET, Paterson, NJ 07513

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School 1 (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charles J. Riley/ School 9 (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Paterson, see our Paterson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
School 24 Paterson 0.3 mi 5.5
School 20 Paterson 0.4 mi 4.3
Anna Iandoli Early Learning Center Paterson 0.6 mi 5.2
School 16 Paterson 0.5 mi 6.2
School 13 Paterson 0.6 mi 4.9
New Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.6 mi 5.1
School 25 Paterson 0.7 mi 6.2
Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.7 mi 5.2
Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts Paterson 0.9 mi 3.2
Eastside High School Paterson 0.8 mi 2.5
Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson 0.7 mi 7.6
School 15 Paterson 0.7 mi 6.6
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology Paterson 0.9 mi 5.9
School 26 Paterson 1.0 mi 4.7
School 1 Paterson 1.0 mi 8.4
Charles J. Riley/ School 9 Paterson 1.0 mi 8.1
School 21 Paterson 1.1 mi 4.2
Alternative High School Paterson 0.9 mi 3.5
Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson 1.1 mi 4.6
Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson 1.1 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07513 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,320

Median Home Value

$387,400

Median Rent

$1,606/mo

Population

10,961

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

31.1%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

33.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Joseph Stokes Elementary School Trenton, NJ 3.0
Number 5 Linden, NJ 3.1
Prospect Park School No. 1 Prospect Park, NJ 3.1
West Dover Elementary School Toms River, NJ 3.1
Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr Elementary Trenton, NJ 3.2
Dr. William Mennies Elementary School Vineland, NJ 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

What grades does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex serve?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has an enrollment of approximately 505 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex rank in NJ?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex ranks #2,452 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex a charter school?

No, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex a Title I school?

No, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex?

58.8% of students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex 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
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
46 Some Transit
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Passaic County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.7%

District

Paterson Public School District
District Enrollment
24,692
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
District Rank
#41 of 43

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