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Below Average

#2224 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Hillside High School

High School · Hillside Public School District

1085 LIBERTY AVE, Hillside, NJ 07205

Enrollment

927

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,224 of 2,466

In Hillside

#7 of 7

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Hillside Public School District

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Hillside High School

4.3/10

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

Hurden Looker School

8.2/10

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

Deanna G. Taylor Academy

5.1/10

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

About Hillside High School

Hillside High School is a public high school in Hillside, NJ, part of Hillside Public School District. Hillside High School serves approximately 927 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,224 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hillside High School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-32 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.3 pts
Overall Proficiency19% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness5.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation10.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,458
Chronic Absenteeism24.6%

Hillside High School — Students at Hillside High School score 19% 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

60%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 51.5% (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
52%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
83%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
6%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
8%
ELA
39%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
4%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
4%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
39%
2024
ELA
41.3%
2025
Math
9.5%
ELA
27.9%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Hillside High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3.2
Sports
21
11 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
70 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
10.1% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
11 boys'·10 girls'·43 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

1085 LIBERTY AVE, Hillside, NJ 07205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillside High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BRURIAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark (rated 4.7/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newark), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Weequahic High School (rated 2.9/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Newark), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hillside, see our Hillside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Hurden Looker School Hillside 0.4 mi 8.2
Deanna G. Taylor Academy Hillside 0.7 mi 5.1
Hillside Innovation Academy Hillside 0.7 mi 8.3
Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Hillside 0.8 mi 5.8
Livingston Elementary Union 0.8 mi 4.6
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Hillside 0.9 mi 6.9
Ola Edwards Community School Hillside 1.1 mi 7.1
TRINITY TEMPLE ACADEMY Hillside 1.0 mi 4.1
BRURIAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Elizabeth 1.2 mi 7.0
Elmora School No. 12 Elizabeth 1.5 mi 6.3
Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27 Elizabeth 1.4 mi 6.3
Nicholas Murray Butler Academy School No. 23 Elizabeth 1.3 mi 6.1
Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 8.4
Union Avenue Middle School Irvington 1.6 mi 5.9
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.5 mi 6.4
Weequahic High School Newark 1.5 mi 2.9
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.5 mi 4.7
Victor Mravlag School No. 21 Elizabeth 1.6 mi 7.1
JEWISH EDUCATIONAL CENTER LOWER SCHOOL Elizabeth 1.7 mi 4.5
Kawameeh Middle School Union 1.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$98,558

Median Home Value

$363,200

Median Rent

$1,712/mo

Population

22,179

College Educated

28.9%

Homeownership

70.7%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bordentown Regional High School Bordentown, NJ 4.3
Deptford Township High School Deptford, NJ 4.3
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville, NJ 4.3
Sterling High School Somerdale, NJ 4.3
West Deptford High School West Deptford, NJ 4.3
Central High School Newark, NJ 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillside High School

What grades does Hillside High School serve?

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

How many students attend Hillside High School?

Hillside High School has an enrollment of approximately 927 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Hillside High School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillside High School rank in NJ?

Hillside High School ranks #2,224 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hillside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Hillside High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside High School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hillside High School a charter school?

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

Is Hillside High School a Title I school?

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

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

60.0% of students at Hillside 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
83 Very Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
927
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
70
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.6%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

How we rate schools

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