Below Average
#2010 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Lafayette Street School
Elementary School · Newark Public School District
205 LAFAYETTE ST, Newark, NJ 07105
Enrollment
1,235
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
1,235
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#41 of 61
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,195 of 1,496
In district
#44 of 63
Newark Public School District
About Lafayette Street School
Lafayette Street School serves 1,235 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Newark's 07105 neighborhood. With 72 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, providing a more intimate learning environment despite its large enrollment. The school currently faces academic challenges, with room for growth in both English Language Arts and mathematics.
Reading proficiency stands at 35% across grade levels, while math proficiency is at 14%. These results place Lafayette Street School in the 7th percentile statewide, ranking #2309 among New Jersey's 2,475 elementary schools. The school community is working to support student development and improve academic outcomes.
Lafayette Street School draws families from a diverse urban community where the median household income is $51,927. The neighborhood reflects Newark's working-class character, with a 19.4% poverty rate and 14% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite economic challenges, the area shows signs of investment, with median home values reaching $430,000.
As a regular public elementary school in New Jersey's largest city, Lafayette Street School serves as an important educational anchor in its densely populated neighborhood of nearly 57,000 residents, providing foundational learning opportunities in Newark's vibrant urban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Lafayette Street School — Students at Lafayette Street School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 20 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.0/10.
How Lafayette Street School Compares
See how Lafayette Street School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 35% (2022).
Location
205 LAFAYETTE ST, Newark, NJ 07105
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lafayette Street School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newark Educators Community Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is The Gray Charter School (rated 7.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Ward Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| The Gray Charter School Newark | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| East Ward Elementary School Newark | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Oliver Street School Newark | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| East Side High School Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Ironbound Academy Elementary School Newark | 0.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Wilson Avenue School Newark | 0.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Ann Street School Newark | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| South Street Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.1 |
| ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Discovery Charter School Newark | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| North Star Academy Charter School Newark | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark | 0.9 mi | 7.5 |
| MARWAH ACADEMY Harrison | 1.2 mi | — |
| Arts High School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Link Community Charter School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Hamilton Intermediate School Harrison | 1.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Kennedy Elementary School Harrison | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Washington Middle School Harrison | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,752
Median Home Value
$445,900
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Population
56,657
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
17.1%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lafayette Street School has a median household income of $55,752. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $445,900, with a median rent of $1,600/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| First Avenue School Newark, NJ | 4.8 |
| Cedar Grove Elementary School Toms River, NJ | 4.7 |
| Emma Havens Young Elementary School Brick, NJ | 4.7 |
| Franklin Elementary School Kearny, NJ | 4.6 |
| George L. Hess Educational Complex Mays Landing, NJ | 5.0 |
| Nicholas S. Lacorte-Peterstown School No. 3 Elizabeth, NJ | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lafayette Street School
What grades does Lafayette Street School serve?
Lafayette Street School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Lafayette Street School?
Lafayette Street School has an enrollment of approximately 1,235 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lafayette Street School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lafayette Street School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lafayette Street School rank in NJ?
Lafayette Street School is ranked #2010 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Lafayette Street School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lafayette Street School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Lafayette Street School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lafayette Street School has 26.2% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lafayette Street School a charter school?
No, Lafayette Street School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lafayette Street School a Title I school?
No, Lafayette Street School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lafayette Street School?
80.3% of students at Lafayette Street 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,235
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 465-4860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #44 of 63
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 methodologyRelated reading
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