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Average

#1770 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Garfield High School

High School · Garfield Public School District

500 PALISADE AVE, Garfield, NJ 07026

Enrollment

1,264

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Garfield

#9 of 9

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#307 of 422

In district

#11 of 11

Garfield Public School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Garfield High School

Garfield High School serves 1,264 students in grades 9-12 in this Bergen County community, offering a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 102 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently ranks in the 26th percentile among New Jersey high schools, with room for academic growth as it works to support student achievement. Academic performance shows 42% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents a particular area for development with 19% of students meeting proficiency standards.

The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 reflects these academic challenges, positioning it at #1836 among the state's 2,475 high schools. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $72,026 and median home values reach $430,500. About 22% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 14.8% of families experience poverty, creating a mixed socioeconomic environment that presents both opportunities and challenges for student success.

Garfield High School operates in a large suburban setting that provides students with access to the resources and opportunities of the greater Bergen County area, while serving a community of over 32,000 residents who call this established New Jersey neighborhood home.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg-22.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.2 pts
Overall Proficiency31%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness2.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,796

Garfield High School — Students at Garfield High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.1%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 43.4%
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
20%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
9.5%
ELA
43.6%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Garfield High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.3/10
28th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
102 teachers

Location

500 PALISADE AVE, Garfield, NJ 07026

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Garfield High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Christopher Columbus School #8 (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas Jefferson School #9 (rated 8.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt School #7 (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Garfield, see our Garfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Christopher Columbus School #8 Garfield 0.3 mi 8.3
Garfield Middle School Garfield 0.5 mi 6.8
MARGARET P MUSCARELLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Garfield 0.4 mi
Washington Irving School #4 Garfield 0.5 mi 7.5
Garfield Early Childhood Learning Center Garfield 0.6 mi 7.1
Thomas Jefferson School #9 Garfield 0.7 mi 8.1
Garfield Public Preschool 3 at Headstart Garfield 0.6 mi 6.7
Roosevelt School #7 Garfield 0.8 mi 7.7
Muhammad Ali School Number 23 Passaic 0.9 mi 6.3
RAINBOW MONTESSORI - CLIFTON Clifton 0.7 mi 5.4
Ellen Ochoa School Number 22 Passaic 0.9 mi 7.1
Mahatma Gandhi School Number 25 Passaic 0.9 mi 5.2
Abraham Lincoln School Number 24 Passaic 1.0 mi
Theodore Roosevelt School No. 10 Passaic 0.9 mi 5.5
Abraham Lincoln School #6 Garfield 1.0 mi 6.3
Gantner Avenue School Elmwood Park 0.9 mi 4.0
Garfield Public Preschool Annex Garfield 0.8 mi 5.8
Bergen Arts and Sciences Charter School Fair Lawn 0.9 mi 5.9
Etta Gero School No. 9 Passaic 1.1 mi 5.9
Casimir Pulaski School No. 8 Passaic 1.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,701

Median Home Value

$454,300

Median Rent

$1,612/mo

Population

32,502

College Educated

24.3%

Homeownership

45.4%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.2%

Median Age

39

Community Profile

The community surrounding Garfield High School has a median household income of $75,701. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $454,300, with a median rent of $1,612/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Burlington County Institute of Technology - Medford Medford, NJ 5.3
Deptford Township High School Deptford, NJ 5.3
Nutley High School Nutley, NJ 5.3
Rahway High School Rahway, NJ 5.3
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Scotch Plains, NJ 5.3
Absegami High School Galloway, NJ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Garfield High School

What grades does Garfield High School serve?

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

How many students attend Garfield High School?

Garfield High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,264 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Garfield High School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Garfield High School rank in NJ?

Garfield High School is ranked #1770 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Garfield High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Garfield High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garfield High School has 15.1% math proficiency and 43.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Garfield High School a charter school?

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

Is Garfield High School a Title I school?

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

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

50.9% of students at Garfield 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
76 Very Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,953/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,264
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
102
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Bergen County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Garfield Public School District
District Enrollment
4,871
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$27,656
District Rank
#11 of 11

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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