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Very Good

#507 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 21% in state

James Caldwell High School

High School · Caldwell-West School District

265 WESTVILLE AVE, West Caldwell, NJ 07006

Enrollment

772

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Caldwell

#1 of 4

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#84 of 422

In district

#1 of 7

Caldwell-West School District

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About James Caldwell High School

James Caldwell High School serves grades 9–12 in West Caldwell, a large suburban community in Essex County, New Jersey. The school enrolls 772 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, supported by 77 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, James Caldwell High School ranks in the 65th percentile statewide (#859 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools) with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5/10.

In English language arts, 68% of students scored proficient or above, showing solid performance in reading and writing skills. Mathematics presents an area of focus, with 40% of students achieving proficiency or above, indicating room for academic growth in this subject. The school's overall academic score of 6.2/10 reflects a mixed performance profile.

With its moderate class sizes and a dedicated teaching staff, the school provides students with reasonable access to instruction. The suburban setting offers families a residential environment while maintaining proximity to broader educational and community resources. For families considering James Caldwell High School, understanding both its English language arts strengths and its developing mathematics program can help inform decisions about academic support and student needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56%
Math vs. State Avg-3.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
College Readiness8.9Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation34.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,329

James Caldwell High School — Students at James Caldwell High School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.5%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
56%
2024
Math
50.8%
ELA
81.5%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How James Caldwell High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
80th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
5.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
8%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
77 teachers

Location

265 WESTVILLE AVE, West Caldwell, NJ 07006

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James Caldwell High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Essex County West Caldwell Tech (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is West Essex High School (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby North Caldwell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ESSEX VALLEY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in West Caldwell, see our West Caldwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Jefferson Elementary School West Caldwell 0.4 mi 5.4
Wilson Elementary School West Caldwell 0.5 mi 6.5
Essex County West Caldwell Tech West Caldwell 0.8 mi 7.8
Grover Cleveland Middle School Caldwell 0.6 mi 7.6
Harrison School West Caldwell 0.8 mi 4.3
ESSEX VALLEY SCHOOL West Caldwell 1.2 mi 7.0
Essex Fells Elementary School Essex Fells 1.1 mi 9.2
THE ARC OF ESSEX COUNTY'S STEPPING STONES SCHOOL Roseland 1.4 mi
Washington Elementary School West Caldwell 1.2 mi 5.9
MOUNT SAINT DOMINIC ACADEMY Caldwell 1.3 mi 6.2
Lester C Noecker Roseland 1.6 mi 8.0
Lincoln Elementary School Caldwell 1.4 mi 6.5
NEW BEGINNINGS Fairfield 2.1 mi 7.8
GLENVIEW ACADEMY Fairfield 2.2 mi 6.7
THE GRAMON SCHOOL Fairfield 2.2 mi 7.4
Winston S. Churchill School Fairfield 2.6 mi 3.4
Gould/Mountain Elementary School N. Caldwell 2.2 mi 7.5
West Essex High School North Caldwell 2.6 mi 7.6
Harrison Elementary School Livingston 2.8 mi 8.6
Forest Avenue School Verona 2.3 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07006 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$148,645

Median Home Value

$667,300

Median Rent

$1,973/mo

Population

26,417

College Educated

64.9%

Homeownership

73.5%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

42.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding James Caldwell High School has a median household income of $148,645. It is a well-educated community where 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $667,300, with a median rent of $1,973/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Henry P. Becton Regional High School East Rutherford, NJ 7.6
Hoboken High School Hoboken, NJ 7.6
International High School Paterson, NJ 7.6
Manasquan High School Manasquan, NJ 7.6
Monmouth Regional High School Tinton Falls, NJ 7.6
PEDDIE SCHOOL Hightstown, NJ 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James Caldwell High School

What grades does James Caldwell High School serve?

James Caldwell High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend James Caldwell High School?

James Caldwell High School has an enrollment of approximately 772 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James Caldwell High School?

The student-teacher ratio at James Caldwell High School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James Caldwell High School rank in NJ?

James Caldwell High School is ranked #507 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is James Caldwell High School's MySchoolScout rating?

James Caldwell High School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 James Caldwell High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Caldwell High School has 40.5% math proficiency and 68.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James Caldwell High School a charter school?

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

Is James Caldwell High School a Title I school?

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

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

8.0% of students at James Caldwell 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (18/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
772
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
77
Free/Reduced Lunch
8.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Caldwell-West School District
District Enrollment
2,577
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,479
District Rank
#1 of 7

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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