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#1551 of 2,463 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paterson

#12 of 42

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#926 of 1,496

In district

#14 of 42

Paterson Public School District

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is a public elementary school in Paterson, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

With an enrollment of 505 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The faculty consists of 42 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students' educational journey. The academic performance at Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex is currently focusing on areas for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.4 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2155 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey (13th percentile). While the school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 20% and Math proficiency is at 7%, there are efforts underway to enhance these numbers.

The community around the school is part of a larger suburban area, offering students a diverse and vibrant setting for learning and growth. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Educational Complex is situated in an area that provides its students with opportunities to engage with their surroundings and learn from their environment.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-18.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,820

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex — Students at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
9%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
16%

* 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: 6.8/10.

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
5.8/10
37th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

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. Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Edward W. Kilpatrick (rated 7.1/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Charles J. Riley/ School 9 (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly 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 4.7
School 20 Paterson 0.4 mi 5.4
Anna Iandoli Early Learning Center Paterson 0.6 mi 6.6
School 16 Paterson 0.5 mi 4.0
School 13 Paterson 0.6 mi 4.0
New Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.6 mi 4.6
School 25 Paterson 0.7 mi 5.6
Roberto Clemente Paterson 0.7 mi 4.6
Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts Paterson 0.9 mi 5.5
Eastside High School Paterson 0.8 mi 3.2
Philip's Academy Charter School of Paterson Paterson 0.7 mi 8.1
School 15 Paterson 0.7 mi 5.8
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology Paterson 0.9 mi 3.5
School 26 Paterson 1.0 mi 3.3
School 1 Paterson 1.0 mi 5.0
Charles J. Riley/ School 9 Paterson 1.0 mi 6.4
School 21 Paterson 1.1 mi 4.3
Alternative High School Paterson 0.9 mi 7.5
Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson 1.1 mi 3.0
Edward W. Kilpatrick Paterson 1.1 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has a median household income of $64,320. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,400, with a median rent of $1,606/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Albert Payson Terhune Elementary Wayne, NJ 5.8
Alfred Zampella School Jersey City, NJ 5.8
Atlantic Community Charter School Galloway, NJ 5.8
Avenel Street Elementary School Avenel, NJ 5.8
Belleville PS5 Belleville, NJ 5.8
Benjamin Franklin School No. 13 Elizabeth, NJ 5.8

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 is ranked #1551 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

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

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Complex has 7.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,339/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paterson Public School District
District Enrollment
24,692
Schools in District
43
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,885
District Rank
#14 of 42

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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