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#1344 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Link Community Charter School

Middle School · Link Community Charter School

23 Pennsyvania Ave, Newark, NJ 07114

Charter

Enrollment

358

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#10 of 19

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#257 of 441

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Link Community Charter School

Link Community Charter School is a charter school located in Newark, New Jersey, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 358 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school's teaching staff consists of 31 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to fostering a supportive learning environment.

Academically, Link Community Charter School has room for growth according to its MySchoolScout rating and state ranking. Currently ranked 22nd percentile out of 2475 schools in New Jersey with an academic score of 3.2/10, the school is focusing on improving proficiency rates in core subjects like ELA (56%), math (19%), and science (4%). While these scores are lower than ideal, they highlight areas where additional support and resources can make a significant difference.

Link Community Charter School is situated in the heart of a bustling city environment, offering students unique opportunities to engage with their community. Whether through field trips, local partnerships, or real-world learning experiences, the school leverages its urban setting to provide rich educational experiences that go beyond traditional classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

Link Community 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Math vs. State Avg-31.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,922

Link Community Charter School — Students at Link Community Charter School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.9%
School
State
33.7%
ELA Proficiency 55.7%
School
State
53.5%

Based on 15 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
30%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
21.3%
ELA
60.2%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Link Community Charter School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

23 Pennsyvania Ave, Newark, NJ 07114

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Link Community Charter School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Discovery Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 0.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark 0.3 mi 5.6
Quitman Street School Newark 0.5 mi 4.1
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark 0.4 mi 7.1
American History High School Newark 0.5 mi 7.2
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 7.5
South Street Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 6.0
Arts High School Newark 0.6 mi 6.8
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 4.1
ELYON LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY Newark 0.5 mi
Discovery Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 5.5
Oliver Street School Newark 0.6 mi 6.1
East Ward Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.6
The Gray Charter School Newark 0.7 mi 7.4
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.8 mi 5.5
Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark 0.8 mi 4.8
Central High School Newark 0.8 mi 5.6
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.9 mi 5.7
ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark 1.0 mi 4.0
Essex County Newark Tech Newark 1.1 mi 6.9
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 1.0 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07114 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,167

Median Home Value

$384,700

Median Rent

$616/mo

Population

12,658

College Educated

9.4%

Homeownership

22.7%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

34.1%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Link Community Charter School has a median household income of $34,167. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $384,700, with a median rent of $616/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Pride Academy Charter School East Orange, NJ 6.1
Pine Hill Middle School Pine Hill, NJ 6.0
EASTERN CHRISTIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Wyckoff, NJ 6.2
Marcus W. Newcomb Middle School Pemberton, NJ 6.2
Margaret L Vetter Eatontown, NJ 6.2
New Providence Middle School New Providence, NJ 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Link Community Charter School

What grades does Link Community Charter School serve?

Link Community Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Link Community Charter School?

Link Community Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Link Community Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Link Community Charter School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Link Community Charter School rank in NJ?

Link Community Charter School is ranked #1344 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Link Community Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Link Community Charter School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Link Community Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Link Community Charter School has 18.9% math proficiency and 55.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Link Community Charter School a charter school?

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

Is Link Community Charter School a Title I school?

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

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

67.0% of students at Link Community 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

City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Link Community Charter School
District Enrollment
358
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,584
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 methodology

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