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Below Average

#2296 of 2,466 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

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,296 of 2,466

In Garfield

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#11 of 11

Garfield Public School District

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Garfield High School

4.0/10

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

Christopher Columbus School #8

7.3/10

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

Garfield Middle School

6.4/10

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

About Garfield High School

Garfield High School is a public high school in Garfield, NJ, part of Garfield Public School District. Garfield High School serves approximately 1,264 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Garfield High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,296 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Garfield High School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-8.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency29.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-34.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.1 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-21.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness6.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,656
Chronic Absenteeism26.1%

Garfield High School — Students at Garfield High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 32 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
61%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
20%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
20%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
42%
2024
Math
9.5%
ELA
43.6%
2025
Math
7.3%
ELA
29.1%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Garfield High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
7th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.2
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
102 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
6.6% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·36 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Abraham Lincoln School #6 (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Irving School #4 (rated 7.8/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gantner Avenue School (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Elmwood Park), 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 7.3
Garfield Middle School Garfield 0.5 mi 6.4
MARGARET P MUSCARELLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Garfield 0.4 mi
Washington Irving School #4 Garfield 0.5 mi 7.8
Garfield Early Childhood Learning Center Garfield 0.6 mi 6.0
Thomas Jefferson School #9 Garfield 0.7 mi 6.9
Garfield Public Preschool 3 at Headstart Garfield 0.6 mi 5.8
Roosevelt School #7 Garfield 0.8 mi 5.0
Muhammad Ali School Number 23 Passaic 0.9 mi 6.9
RAINBOW MONTESSORI - CLIFTON Clifton 0.7 mi 5.4
Ellen Ochoa School Number 22 Passaic 0.9 mi 5.1
Mahatma Gandhi School Number 25 Passaic 0.9 mi 4.7
Abraham Lincoln School Number 24 Passaic 1.0 mi
Theodore Roosevelt School No. 10 Passaic 0.9 mi 7.5
Abraham Lincoln School #6 Garfield 1.0 mi 8.2
Gantner Avenue School Elmwood Park 0.9 mi 7.8
Garfield Public Preschool Annex Garfield 0.8 mi 5.4
Bergen Arts and Sciences Charter School Fair Lawn 0.9 mi 7.3
Etta Gero School No. 9 Passaic 1.1 mi 4.3
Casimir Pulaski School No. 8 Passaic 1.2 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hamilton North - Nottingham Hamilton, NJ 4.0
John E. Dwyer Technology Academy Elizabeth, NJ 4.0
Lacey Township High School Lanoka Harbor, NJ 4.0
Long Branch High School Long Branch, NJ 4.0
PAUL VI HIGH SCHOOL Haddonfield, NJ 4.0
Pennsauken High School Pennsauken, NJ 4.0

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 ranks #2,296 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Garfield High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Garfield High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Garfield High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Garfield High School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.1%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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