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Needs Improvement

#2449 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Lead Charter School

High School · LEAD Charter School

201 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103

Charter

Enrollment

280

Student-Teacher

35:1

Score

3.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,449 of 2,466

In Newark

#79 of 80

public schools

Academic growth

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Lead Charter School

3.0/10

High School in Newark · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Camden Street Elementary School

6.3/10

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

Bard Early College High School

8.0/10

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

About Lead Charter School

Lead Charter School is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of LEAD Charter School. Lead Charter School serves approximately 280 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 35:1 student-teacher ratio. Lead Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,449 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Lead Charter School show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2019).

How it compares2.8 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • NJ avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Lead Charter School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Lead Charter School runs 35:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Lead Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change+3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendImproving
Academics1.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10% (2019 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-34.8 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-30.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College Readiness1.4Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate12%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio35:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,857
Chronic Absenteeism53.6%

Lead Charter School — Students at Lead Charter School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 7.8% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 10.0% (multi-year average, 2017-2019)
School
State
N/A

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2017
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2019
Math
5%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25%
2024
2025
Math
6.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Lead Charter School Compares

See how Lead Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
1.0/10
Needs Improvement
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
35:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.6%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

201 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lead Charter School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Science Park High School (rated 8.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bard Early College High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Camden Street Elementary School Newark 0.2 mi 6.3
Bard Early College High School Newark 0.3 mi 8.0
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.2 mi 8.7
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 6.2
Thirteenth Avenue School Newark 0.4 mi 5.8
Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark 0.3 mi 9.8
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.4 mi 4.5
John F. Kennedy School Newark 0.4 mi 5.6
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 5.1
ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark 0.5 mi 8.0
Science Park High School Newark 0.5 mi 8.6
Central High School Newark 0.6 mi 4.2
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 6.4
West Side High School Newark 0.6 mi 3.4
Philip's Academy Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 5.6
American History High School Newark 0.7 mi 5.1
Essex County Newark Tech Newark 0.6 mi 7.2
Quitman Street School Newark 0.7 mi 5.8
Sussex Avenue School Newark 0.8 mi 6.0
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark 0.9 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,397

Median Home Value

$259,300

Median Rent

$1,289/mo

Population

36,733

College Educated

20.6%

Homeownership

23.4%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

31.6%

Median Age

31.8

Similar Schools

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lead Charter School

What grades does Lead Charter School serve?

Lead Charter School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Lead Charter School?

Lead Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 280 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lead Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lead Charter School is 35:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lead Charter School rank in NJ?

Lead Charter School ranks #2,449 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Lead Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lead Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Lead Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Lead Charter School has 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2019).

Is Lead Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Lead Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Lead Charter School a Title I school?

No, Lead Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lead Charter School?

52.9% of students at Lead Charter 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
81 Very Walkable
Transit Score
71 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher Ratio
35:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.6%
4-Year Graduation
12.0%

District

LEAD Charter School
District Enrollment
280
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,857
District Rank
#1 of 1

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