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Very Good

#678 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 28% 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

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#678 of 2,466

In Newark

#16 of 80

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Essex County Schools of Technology

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology

7.4/10

High School in Newark · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Roseville Community Charter School

4.1/10

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

Sussex Avenue School

6.0/10

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

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 Essex County Schools of Technology.

Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology serves approximately 1,148 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #678 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

What's said publicly about Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

The Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology offers career pathways in various fields, including Allied Health, Music Production, Computer Science, Business Management, Law and Public Safety, Graphic Arts & Design, Green Energy, Television Production, Dental Science, Automotive Technology, Robotics, Information Technology, Construction Trades, Engineering, Architectural Drafting, Agricultural Science, Culinary Arts, Animal Science, Manufacturing, Fashion Design, and Cosmetology 1 . The school utilizes state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies to enhance the student learning experience 1 . In addition to Career Technical Education and Academics, the institution provides an Athletic Program and an Adult Evening Program 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.essextech.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy
How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.1 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+28.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate97%
AP Participation22.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,080
Chronic Absenteeism10.2%

Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology — Students at Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.0% (2025 NJSLA)
ELA Proficiency 71.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (2025 NJSLA)

Based on 30 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
62%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
97.5%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
44%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
65%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
65%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
65%
2020*
Math
36%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
64%
2025
Math
37.2%
ELA
66%

* 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: 4.2/10.

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.

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
4.2/10
Below Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.2
Sports
9
4 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
94 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
22.2% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
4 boys'·5 girls'·20 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Barringer High School (rated 3.8/10, 0.8 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 4.1
Sussex Avenue School Newark 0.3 mi 6.0
Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark 0.4 mi 5.5
Thirteenth Avenue School Newark 0.6 mi 5.8
Philip's Academy Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 5.6
Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary East Orange 0.6 mi 7.9
Gordon Parks Academy East Orange 0.7 mi 4.1
ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark 0.7 mi 8.0
John F. Kennedy School Newark 0.7 mi 5.6
Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 5.9
ONE STEP AHEAD LEARNING CENTER East Orange 0.8 mi
Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange 0.7 mi 7.1
West Side High School Newark 0.8 mi 3.4
LEAD Charter School Newark 0.9 mi 3.0
Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark 0.9 mi 9.8
Marion P. Thomas Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 6.0
Science Park High School Newark 0.9 mi 8.6
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 1.0 mi 8.7
Barringer High School Newark 0.8 mi 3.8
Camden Street Elementary School Newark 1.1 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Governor Livingston High School Berkeley Heights, NJ 7.4
Madison High School Madison, NJ 7.4
Pascack Hills High School Montvale, NJ 7.5
Delaware Valley Regional High School Frenchtown, NJ 7.3
Middletown High School North Middletown, NJ 7.3
Millburn High School Millburn, NJ 7.3

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 ranks #678 of 2,466 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 current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
78 Very Walkable
Transit Score
69 Good Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.2%
4-Year Graduation
97.0%

District

Essex County Schools of Technology
District Enrollment
2,053
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,080
District Rank
#1 of 3

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