Very Good
#830 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 34% in state
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School
Elementary School · Newark Public School District
66 MUHAMMAD ALI AVENUE, Newark, NJ 07108
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#12 of 61
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#504 of 1,496
In district
#11 of 63
Newark Public School District
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Louise A. Spencer Elementary School
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in Newark, with an enrollment of 835 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1, supported by 61 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school is currently working with significant challenges. Reading proficiency averages 27% across grades, while math proficiency stands at 13%. Science proficiency is at 0% across the school.
These results indicate the school has substantial room for academic growth, and families should be aware that student achievement levels are considerably below state averages. The school's academic score of 1.9 out of 10 reflects these performance trends, and it ranks in the 22nd percentile statewide among New Jersey schools. Located at 66 Muhammad Ali Avenue in Newark's Essex County, Louise A.
Spencer Elementary serves the urban community as a regular public school. The large city setting brings both the resources and challenges typical of Newark's neighborhoods, where families seeking additional academic support may want to explore complementary learning resources and community partnerships to help children succeed.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Louise A. Spencer Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School — Students at Louise A. Spencer Elementary School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 19 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Compares
See how Louise A. Spencer Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
66 MUHAMMAD ALI AVENUE, Newark, NJ 07108
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Louise A. Spencer Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newark Educators Community Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Grover Cleveland Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ELYON LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY Newark | 0.2 mi | — |
| American History High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Quitman Street School Newark | 0.4 mi | 4.1 |
| Central High School Newark | 0.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Link Community Charter School Newark | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Malcolm X Shabazz High School Newark | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Arts High School Newark | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Bard Early College High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Avon Avenue School Newark | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| LEAD Charter School Newark | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Great Oaks Legacy Charter School Newark | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 1.1 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,960
Median Home Value
$326,900
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
Population
28,317
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
17.3%
Avg Commute
33.7 min
Poverty Rate
36%
Median Age
32.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Louise A. Spencer Elementary School has a median household income of $33,960. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $326,900, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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 |
|---|---|
| Blanquita B. Valenti Community School New Brunswick, NJ | 7.1 |
| Daniel F. Ryan Elementary School No. 19 Passaic, NJ | 7.1 |
| Frank Defino Central Elementary School Marlboro, NJ | 7.1 |
| George Washington Academy School No. 1 Elizabeth, NJ | 7.1 |
| Lindenwold School Five Lindenwold, NJ | 7.1 |
| Rev. Dr. Ercel F. Webb School Jersey City, NJ | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Louise A. Spencer Elementary School
What grades does Louise A. Spencer Elementary School serve?
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Louise A. Spencer Elementary School?
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 835 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Louise A. Spencer Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Louise A. Spencer Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Louise A. Spencer Elementary School rank in NJ?
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School is ranked #830 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Louise A. Spencer Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Louise A. Spencer Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Louise A. Spencer Elementary School has 12.6% math proficiency and 26.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Louise A. Spencer Elementary School a charter school?
No, Louise A. Spencer Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Louise A. Spencer Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Louise A. Spencer Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Louise A. Spencer Elementary School?
76.6% of students at Louise A. Spencer Elementary 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
- Walk Score
- 78 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 72 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 53 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 835
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 733-6931
- 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
- #11 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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