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Average

#1705 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Dunellen High School

High School · Dunellen Public School District

411 First Street, Dunellen, NJ 08812

Enrollment

400

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dunellen

#1 of 3

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#291 of 422

In district

#1 of 3

Dunellen Public School District

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Dunellen High School

Dunellen High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in Dunellen, New Jersey, the school is situated in a large suburban area and offers a student body of 400 students with an encouraging student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic and personal growth.

While Dunellen High School currently holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks at the 23rd percentile among New Jersey schools, it is clear that there are opportunities for improvement in areas like test scores, where only 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 17% reach proficiency in Math. The school community remains committed to fostering an environment focused on student development. Dunellen High School sits within a vibrant suburban setting that offers its students access to both the benefits of local community resources and nearby urban centers, providing a balanced backdrop for learning and growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Dunellen High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.56 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-29.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-19.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,394

Dunellen High School — Students at Dunellen High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.2%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 48.1%
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
17%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
17.6%
ELA
56.2%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Dunellen High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

411 First Street, Dunellen, NJ 08812

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dunellen High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies (rated 6.0/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Middlesex High School (rated 4.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Middlesex), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dunellen, see our Dunellen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Lincoln Middle School Dunellen 0.0 mi 3.3
PRECIOUS MOMENTS ACADEMY Dunellen 0.2 mi
John P. Faber Elementary School Dunellen 0.7 mi 3.5
Green Brook Middle School Green Brook 0.8 mi 5.8
Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School Green Brook 0.8 mi 4.9
Jefferson Elementary School Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.7
Plainfield Academy For The Arts & Advanced Studies Plainfield 0.8 mi 6.0
Arbor Elementary School Piscataway 1.1 mi 5.3
THE GIVING NEST PRESCHOOL North Plainfield 1.5 mi
Parker Elementary School Middlesex 1.3 mi 5.0
Quibbletown Middle School Piscataway 1.6 mi 6.4
Grandview Elementary School Piscataway 1.8 mi 5.3
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 6.4
West End School North Plainfield 1.7 mi 5.3
Theodore Schor Middle School Piscataway 1.9 mi 6.7
Middlesex High School Middlesex 1.5 mi 4.4
SUNDANCE SCHOOL North Plainfield 1.9 mi 6.4
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School Piscataway 2.2 mi 3.0
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER Warren 2.2 mi
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 2.0 mi 3.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08812 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$119,534

Median Home Value

$435,300

Median Rent

$1,557/mo

Population

14,177

College Educated

41.7%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

15.3%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dunellen High School has a median household income of $119,534. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $435,300, with a median rent of $1,557/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.3%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Camden High School Camden, NJ 5.4
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Montvale, NJ 5.4
University Academy Charter High School Jersey City, NJ 5.4
YESHIVA YAAROS DEVASH Lakewood, NJ 5.4
Rosa L. Parks School of Fine and Performing Arts Paterson, NJ 5.5
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Metuchen, NJ 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dunellen High School

What grades does Dunellen High School serve?

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

How many students attend Dunellen High School?

Dunellen High School has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Dunellen High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dunellen High School rank in NJ?

Dunellen High School is ranked #1705 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Dunellen High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dunellen High School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Dunellen High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dunellen High School has 17.2% math proficiency and 48.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dunellen High School a charter school?

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

Is Dunellen High School a Title I school?

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

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

35.5% of students at Dunellen 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

City Safety
Elevated (934/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dunellen Public School District
District Enrollment
1,371
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,495
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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