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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

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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency14%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-27.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,990

Lafayette Street School — Students at Lafayette Street School score 24% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
38.5%
ELA Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 20 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
40%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
45.7%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Lafayette Street School Compares

See how Lafayette Street School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
18th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
94 Rider’s Paradise
Bike Score
64 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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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