Below Average
#1947 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Lead Charter School
High School · LEAD Charter School
201 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07103
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
35:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
280
Student-Teacher
35:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#13 of 19
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#337 of 422
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Lead Charter School
LEAD Charter School is a high school located in Newark, New Jersey. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 280 students with eight full-time teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of about 35 to 1. As a charter school, LEAD focuses on providing educational opportunities tailored to its community.
The academic performance at LEAD Charter School indicates room for improvement. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school scores a 2.7 out of 10 and ranks as #2340 out of 2475 schools in New Jersey, placing it in the sixth percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, only about 10% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts/Reading and Math.
Despite these challenges, LEAD Charter School is part of a larger community effort to support student development and success. The school's setting within Newark means that it is deeply connected to the city’s resources and networks, offering opportunities for real-world learning experiences and engagement with local organizations.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lead Charter School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Lead Charter School is 35:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Lead Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Lead Charter School — Students at Lead Charter School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 4 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Lead Charter School Compares
See how Lead Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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 8.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 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 | 3.9 |
| Bard Early College High School Newark | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.2 mi | 7.1 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Thirteenth Avenue School Newark | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark | 0.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| John F. Kennedy School Newark | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Central High School Newark | 0.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| West Side High School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School Newark | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| American History High School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Essex County Newark Tech Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Quitman Street School Newark | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Sussex Avenue School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lead Charter School has a median household income of $42,397. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,300, with a median rent of $1,289/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Paterson STEAM High School Paterson, NJ | 4.9 |
| YESHIVA BIRCHAS CHAIM Lakewood, NJ | 4.9 |
| New Egypt High School New Egypt, NJ | 5.0 |
| Dr. Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School Camden, NJ | 4.8 |
| Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark, NJ | 4.8 |
| The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield, NJ | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1947 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Lead Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lead Charter School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Lead Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lead Charter School has 10.0% math proficiency and 10.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (862) 772-1724
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LEAD Charter School- District Enrollment
- 280
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $30,857
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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