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Excellent

#244 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 10% in state

Hillside Innovation Academy

Middle School · Hillside Public School District

195 Virginia St-1100 Woodruff Ave, Hillside, NJ 07205

Enrollment

101

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

8.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#244 of 2,466

In Hillside

#1 of 7

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

Hillside Public School District

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Hillside Innovation Academy

8.3/10

Middle School in Hillside · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center

5.8/10

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

Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29

8.4/10

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

About Hillside Innovation Academy

Hillside Innovation Academy is a public middle school in Hillside, NJ, part of Hillside Public School District. Hillside Innovation Academy serves approximately 101 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillside Innovation Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #244 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Hillside Innovation Academy show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 101 students, Hillside Innovation Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2024–2025
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.3 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+31.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,458
Chronic Absenteeism5%

Hillside Innovation Academy — Students at Hillside Innovation Academy score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 30.7% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
32.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 83.3% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
55.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2024
Math
35.4%
ELA
76.1%
2025
Math
27.6%
ELA
90.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Hillside Innovation Academy Compares

See how Hillside Innovation Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
90th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
5.0%

Location

195 Virginia St-1100 Woodruff Ave, Hillside, NJ 07205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillside Innovation Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hurden Looker School (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hillside, see our Hillside schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Hillside 0.1 mi 5.8
Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29 Elizabeth 0.5 mi 8.4
BRURIAH HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Elizabeth 0.6 mi 7.0
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Hillside 0.7 mi 6.9
Nicholas Murray Butler Academy School No. 23 Elizabeth 0.8 mi 6.1
Robert Morris School No. 18 Elizabeth 0.7 mi 6.6
TRINITY TEMPLE ACADEMY Hillside 0.9 mi 4.1
Hurden Looker School Hillside 0.7 mi 8.2
Hillside High School Hillside 0.7 mi 4.3
Joseph Battin School No 4 Elizabeth 1.0 mi 6.8
Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27 Elizabeth 1.1 mi 6.3
Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy School No. 30 Elizabeth 1.0 mi 6.9
Ola Edwards Community School Hillside 1.2 mi 7.1
Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center No 51 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 5.4
Weequahic High School Newark 1.4 mi 2.9
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.4 mi 4.7
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.4 mi 6.4
Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy Elizabeth 1.5 mi 7.8
Madison Monroe School No. 16 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 6.0
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 1.6 mi 5.7

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
Nehaunsey Middle School Gibbstown, NJ 8.3
COMMUNITY SCHOOL Teaneck, NJ 7.8
Eugene A. Tighe Middle School Margate, NJ 9.0
Ethel Hoppock Middle School Asbury, NJ 7.3
THE WINSTON SCHOOL Short Hills, NJ 7.2
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL Jersey City, NJ 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillside Innovation Academy

What grades does Hillside Innovation Academy serve?

Hillside Innovation Academy serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Hillside Innovation Academy?

Hillside Innovation Academy has an enrollment of approximately 101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillside Innovation Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillside Innovation Academy is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillside Innovation Academy rank in NJ?

Hillside Innovation Academy ranks #244 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Hillside Innovation Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillside Innovation Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Innovation Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillside Innovation Academy has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

Is Hillside Innovation Academy a charter school?

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

Is Hillside Innovation Academy a Title I school?

No, Hillside Innovation Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillside Innovation Academy?

71.3% of students at Hillside Innovation Academy 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
101
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Union County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
5.0%

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