Excellent
#125 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 5% in state
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology
High School · Essex County Schools of Technology
498-544 West Market St, Newark, NJ 07107
Enrollment
1,148
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,148
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
8.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#2 of 61
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#30 of 422
In district
#1 of 3
Essex County Schools of Technology
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of the Essex County Schools of Technology.
The school serves approximately 1,148 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 34% proficiency in math and 63% in reading/language arts.
The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $49,892, where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large city setting.
What's said publicly about Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology — Students at Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
79.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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 Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Compares
See how Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64% (2022).
Location
498-544 West Market St, Newark, NJ 07107
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science Park High School (rated 8.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, LEAD Charter School (rated 4.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roseville Community Charter School Newark | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Sussex Avenue School Newark | 0.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark | 0.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Thirteenth Avenue School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary East Orange | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Gordon Parks Academy East Orange | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| John F. Kennedy School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School Newark | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| ONE STEP AHEAD LEARNING CENTER East Orange | 0.8 mi | — |
| Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| West Side High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| LEAD Charter School Newark | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 9.1 |
| Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Barringer High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07107 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,892
Median Home Value
$353,300
Median Rent
$1,259/mo
Population
42,132
College Educated
12.5%
Homeownership
32.7%
Avg Commute
30.6 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
36.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has a median household income of $49,892. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $353,300, with a median rent of $1,259/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Indian Hills High School Oakland, NJ | 8.6 |
| Passaic Preparatory Academy Passaic, NJ | 8.6 |
| Metuchen High School Metuchen, NJ | 8.7 |
| Pascack Hills High School Montvale, NJ | 8.7 |
| Pascack Valley High School Hillsdale, NJ | 8.5 |
| Science Park High School Newark, NJ | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology
What grades does Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology serve?
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology?
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has an enrollment of approximately 1,148 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology?
The student-teacher ratio at Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology rank in NJ?
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is ranked #125 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology's MySchoolScout rating?
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has 34.3% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology a charter school?
No, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology a Title I school?
No, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology?
79.8% of students at Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 78 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 69 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 45 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,148
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 94
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 79.8%
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 412-2203
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Essex County Schools of Technology- District Enrollment
- 2,053
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $32,080
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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