Below Average
#2009 of 2,463 schools in NJ
First Avenue School
Elementary School · Newark Public School District
214 FIRST AVE, Newark, NJ 07107
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,057
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#40 of 61
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,194 of 1,496
In district
#43 of 63
Newark Public School District
Equity
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About First Avenue School
First Avenue School serves 1,057 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Newark, New Jersey. This large elementary school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.1 to 1 with 75 full-time equivalent teachers, providing a substantial educational environment in Essex County. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 44% of students performing at or above proficiency in English Language Arts and 30% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.
First Avenue School ranks in the 28th percentile among New Jersey elementary schools, placing it at #1778 out of 2475 schools statewide. The school's MySchoolScout rating reflects these academic challenges while highlighting opportunities for continued student development. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $46,916 and nearly a quarter of residents face economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 23.8%.
The surrounding neighborhood shows a college education rate of 12% among adults, and median home values reach $317,400, reflecting the varied socioeconomic landscape of this Newark community. First Avenue School operates within Newark's urban environment, serving as an important educational anchor in a densely populated area of over 41,000 residents in the 07107 ZIP code.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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First Avenue School — Students at First Avenue School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 20 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 2.9/10.
How First Avenue School Compares
See how First Avenue School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
214 FIRST AVE, Newark, NJ 07107
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First Avenue School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Roseville Community Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, McKinley Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Abington Avenue School Newark | 0.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Salome Urena Elementary School Newark | 0.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Early Childhood School - North Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ONE STEP AHEAD LEARNING CENTER East Orange | 0.6 mi | — |
| Robert Treat Academy Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Barringer High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Carteret Elementary School Bloomfield | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Roberto Clemente Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Franklin Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Belleville PS4 Belleville | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Newark | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Shelia Y. Oliver Academy East Orange | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Technology High School Newark | 1.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Rafael Hernandez School Newark | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Roseville Community Charter School Newark | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| McKinley Elementary School Newark | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Sussex Avenue School Newark | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| Newark School of Global Studies Newark | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
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 First Avenue School 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 |
|---|---|
| Lafayette Street School Newark, NJ | 4.8 |
| Loring Flemming Elementary School Blackwood, NJ | 4.8 |
| YBH OF PASSAIC-HILLEL Passaic, NJ | 4.8 |
| Cedar Grove Elementary School Toms River, NJ | 4.7 |
| Dr. Orlando Edreira Academy School No. 26 Elizabeth, NJ | 4.7 |
| Emma Havens Young Elementary School Brick, NJ | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First Avenue School
What grades does First Avenue School serve?
First Avenue School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend First Avenue School?
First Avenue School has an enrollment of approximately 1,057 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First Avenue School?
The student-teacher ratio at First Avenue School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First Avenue School rank in NJ?
First Avenue School is ranked #2009 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is First Avenue School's MySchoolScout rating?
First Avenue School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 First Avenue School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First Avenue School has 40.5% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is First Avenue School a charter school?
No, First Avenue School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is First Avenue School a Title I school?
No, First Avenue School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Avenue School?
83.2% of students at First Avenue 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 85 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 70 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 51 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
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,057
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 75
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 268-5240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #43 of 63
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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