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#1460 of 2,463 schools in NJ

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy

Elementary School · East Orange School District

106 PROSPECT STREET, East Orange, NJ 07017

Enrollment

238

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Orange

#8 of 22

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#873 of 1,496

In district

#7 of 20

East Orange School District

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy is an elementary school located in East Orange, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.

With a total enrollment of 238 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size, which allows for more personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. J. Garfield Jackson Sr.

Academy has 18 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to supporting their students' academic growth. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and state ranking of #1664 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey indicate that there is room for improvement, particularly in areas like reading and math proficiency rates, which stand at 44% and 29%, respectively. The science proficiency rate is notably lower at just 2%.

Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment where students can develop their skills and interests. J. Garfield Jackson Sr.

Academy is situated in a large suburban area, providing students with access to various resources within the community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.9 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,442

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy — Students at J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.6%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 44.1%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
31.7%
ELA
47.8%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy Compares

See how J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

106 PROSPECT STREET, East Orange, NJ 07017

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Althea Gibson Academy (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Park Avenue Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Orange), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in East Orange, see our East Orange schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Althea Gibson Academy East Orange 0.2 mi 6.9
Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence East Orange 0.2 mi 4.2
John L. Costley Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 4.6
Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/High School East Orange 0.4 mi 5.7
Sojourner Truth Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 4.5
Patrick F. Healy Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 3.6
Cicely L. Tyson Community Elementary School East Orange 0.5 mi 3.9
East Orange Community Charter School East Orange 0.5 mi 4.6
East Orange Campus High School East Orange 0.5 mi 3.5
Wahlstrom Early Childhood Academy East Orange 0.6 mi 6.7
Oakwood Avenue Community School Orange 0.6 mi 6.6
Park Avenue Elementary School Orange 0.7 mi 6.8
Whitney E. Houston Academy East Orange 0.8 mi 6.7
Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Academy East Orange 0.9 mi 7.5
East Orange STEM Academy High School East Orange 0.8 mi 5.4
Ecole Toussaint Louverture East Orange 0.9 mi 4.3
Shelia Y. Oliver Academy East Orange 0.8 mi 5.5
ZADIE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER East Orange 0.9 mi
Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary East Orange 1.0 mi 5.6
Pride Academy Charter School East Orange 1.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,552

Median Home Value

$316,700

Median Rent

$1,346/mo

Population

40,809

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

31.3%

Avg Commute

37.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

36.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has a median household income of $61,552. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $316,700, with a median rent of $1,346/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Avon Elementary School Haddonfield, NJ 5.9
BISHOP SCHAD REGIONAL SCHOOL Vineland, NJ 5.9
LaMonte-Annex Elementary School Bound Brook, NJ 5.9
Lafayette - Pershing Carneys Point, NJ 5.9
Lafayette Elementary School Bound Brook, NJ 5.9
Lincoln Early Childhood Center Westfield, NJ 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy

What grades does J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy serve?

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy?

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has an enrollment of approximately 238 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy 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 J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy rank in NJ?

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy is ranked #1460 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has a composite rating of 5.9 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 J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has 28.6% math proficiency and 44.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy a charter school?

No, J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy a Title I school?

No, J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy?

67.6% of students at J. Garfield Jackson Sr. 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

City Safety
High (2,446/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
238
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Orange School District
District Enrollment
9,337
Schools in District
20
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,491
District Rank
#7 of 20

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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