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Very Good

#628 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 25% in state

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

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#628 of 2,466

In East Orange

#3 of 22

public schools

In district

#3 of 20

East Orange School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy

7.5/10

Elementary School in East Orange · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Althea Gibson Academy

6.9/10

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

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence

3.4/10

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

About J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy is a public elementary school in East Orange, NJ, part of East Orange School District.

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy serves approximately 238 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #628 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.3
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+4.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-9.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,491
Chronic Absenteeism26.5%

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy — Students at J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 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
82%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
31.7%
ELA
47.8%
2025
Math
38.4%
ELA
50.7%

* 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: 8.6/10.

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
7.5/10
75th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Shelia Y. Oliver Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Althea Gibson Academy (rated 6.9/10, 0.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 3.4
John L. Costley Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 4.6
Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/High School East Orange 0.4 mi 7.0
Sojourner Truth Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 4.5
Patrick F. Healy Middle School East Orange 0.4 mi 3.7
Cicely L. Tyson Community Elementary School East Orange 0.5 mi 6.7
East Orange Community Charter School East Orange 0.5 mi 5.9
East Orange Campus High School East Orange 0.5 mi 3.2
Wahlstrom Early Childhood Academy East Orange 0.6 mi 6.8
Oakwood Avenue Community School Orange 0.6 mi 6.5
Park Avenue Elementary School Orange 0.7 mi 4.8
Whitney E. Houston Academy East Orange 0.8 mi 6.9
Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Academy East Orange 0.9 mi 5.3
East Orange STEM Academy High School East Orange 0.8 mi 7.1
Ecole Toussaint Louverture East Orange 0.9 mi 6.5
Shelia Y. Oliver Academy East Orange 0.8 mi 7.6
ZADIE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER East Orange 0.9 mi
Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary East Orange 1.0 mi 7.9
Pride Academy Charter School East Orange 1.1 mi 3.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Colonial Road School Franklin Lakes, NJ 7.5
Gillette Elementary School Gillette, NJ 7.5
Logan Township Elementary School Logan Township, NJ 7.5
Number 9 Linden, NJ 7.5
ST PETER ACADEMY River Edge, NJ 7.5
Spruce Street Elementary School Lakewood, NJ 7.5

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 ranks #628 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

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

J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
83 Very Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

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