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#1326 of 2,463 schools in NJ

East Side High School

High School · Newark Public School District

238 VAN BUREN ST, Newark, NJ 07105

Enrollment

2,110

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#25 of 61

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#222 of 422

In district

#27 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About East Side High School

East Side High School serves 2,110 students in grades 9-12 in Newark, New Jersey, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 across 136 full-time equivalent teachers. As one of the larger high schools in the area, East Side operates as a regular public school in Essex County. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in both English Language Arts and mathematics.

Currently, 16% of students perform at proficient levels or above in reading, while 7% achieve proficiency in math. These results place East Side among schools statewide that are working to improve student outcomes and close achievement gaps. Located at 238 Van Buren Street in Newark's 07105 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse urban community where the median household income is $51,927 and 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood has a poverty rate of 19.4%, reflecting the socioeconomic challenges many students face. Despite a median home value of $430,000, the area maintains its working-class character. East Side High School operates within Newark's large city environment, providing education to students from a community of over 56,000 residents in this densely populated urban setting.

What Parents Should Know

East Side High School is a large school with 2,110 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at East Side 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 Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency16%
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.2 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,990

East Side High School — Students at East Side High School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 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
8%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2024
Math
7%
ELA
24%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How East Side High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
136 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
7.2% participation·19 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

238 VAN BUREN ST, Newark, NJ 07105

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Side High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Arts High School (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL (rated 4.0/10, 1.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Ironbound Academy Elementary School Newark 0.1 mi 3.3
Ann Street School Newark 0.2 mi 5.1
Wilson Avenue School Newark 0.3 mi 5.7
Lafayette Street School Newark 0.5 mi 4.8
East Ward Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 6.6
Oliver Street School Newark 0.6 mi 6.1
The Gray Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 7.4
South Street Elementary School Newark 0.6 mi 6.0
NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark 0.9 mi 5.6
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark 1.0 mi 4.1
Discovery Charter School Newark 1.1 mi 5.5
ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark 1.2 mi 4.0
Hawkins Street School Newark 1.1 mi 3.7
Link Community Charter School Newark 1.1 mi 6.1
North Star Academy Charter School Newark 1.4 mi 4.6
MARWAH ACADEMY Harrison 1.5 mi
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 1.3 mi 7.5
Kennedy Elementary School Harrison 1.6 mi 5.5
Hamilton Intermediate School Harrison 1.6 mi 6.2
Arts High School Newark 1.3 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,752

Median Home Value

$445,900

Median Rent

$1,600/mo

Population

56,657

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

17.1%

Avg Commute

33.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

34.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Side High School has a median household income of $55,752. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $445,900, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Lakewood High School Lakewood, NJ 6.2
North Brunswick Township High School North Brunswick, NJ 6.2
Shawnee High School Medford, NJ 6.2
Camden County Technical School-GTC Sicklerville, NJ 6.3
Colonia High School Colonia, NJ 6.3
Egg Harbor Township High School Egg Harbor Township, NJ 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Side High School

What grades does East Side High School serve?

East Side High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Side High School?

East Side High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,110 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Side High School?

The student-teacher ratio at East Side High School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Side High School rank in NJ?

East Side High School is ranked #1326 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is East Side High School's MySchoolScout rating?

East Side High School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 East Side High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Side High School has 9.8% math proficiency and 19.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Side High School a charter school?

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

Is East Side High School a Title I school?

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

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

71.6% of students at East Side 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

Walk Score
94 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
71 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,110
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
136
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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