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Below Average

#2008 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Malcolm X Shabazz High School

High School · Newark Public School District

80 JOHNSON AVE, Newark, NJ 07108

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#39 of 61

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#349 of 422

In district

#42 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Malcolm X Shabazz High School

Malcolm X Shabazz High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Newark, New Jersey. The school serves students from grade 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 354 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

Malcolm X Shabazz High School has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks as the 2187th best high school in New Jersey according to state rankings, placing it around the 12th percentile among all schools in the state. Academically, the school scores a 1.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's scale. In terms of proficiency, only 20% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 5% meet these standards in math.

Despite current challenges, the school is committed to supporting student development through focused academic programs and community engagement initiatives designed to foster growth and improve educational outcomes for its diverse student body. Malcolm X Shabazz High School is situated in a vibrant city setting within Newark, where students can access a wide range of cultural and extracurricular opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Malcolm X Shabazz High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-43.2 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,990

Malcolm X Shabazz High School — Students at Malcolm X Shabazz High School score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 4.6%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 19.5%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2024
Math
8.5%
ELA
19%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Malcolm X Shabazz High School Compares

See how Malcolm X Shabazz High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

80 JOHNSON AVE, Newark, NJ 07108

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Malcolm X Shabazz High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bard Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is American History High School (rated 7.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, University High School (rated 6.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
ELYON LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY Newark 0.3 mi
Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark 0.4 mi 6.4
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 7.1
Avon Avenue School Newark 0.7 mi 3.7
Central High School Newark 0.8 mi 5.6
Peshine Avenue School Newark 0.7 mi 6.4
TEAM Academy Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 4.1
Link Community Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 6.1
American History High School Newark 0.9 mi 7.2
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 0.9 mi 6.9
Quitman Street School Newark 0.9 mi 4.1
Newark Vocational High School Newark 1.0 mi 5.5
Bard Early College High School Newark 1.2 mi 7.9
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 1.2 mi 5.7
Camden Street Elementary School Newark 1.2 mi 3.9
NEWARK BOYS CHORUS SCHOOL Newark 1.1 mi 5.6
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark 1.2 mi 7.5
University High School Newark 1.0 mi 6.9
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 1.3 mi 5.1
Arts High School Newark 1.2 mi 6.8

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 Malcolm X Shabazz High 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
The Barack Obama Green Charter High School Plainfield, NJ 4.8
Wildwood High School Wildwood, NJ 4.8
ADERES BAIS YAAKOV Lakewood, NJ 4.7
Palmyra High School Palmyra, NJ 4.7
LEAD Charter School Newark, NJ 4.9
Paterson STEAM High School Paterson, NJ 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Malcolm X Shabazz High School

What grades does Malcolm X Shabazz High School serve?

Malcolm X Shabazz High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Malcolm X Shabazz High School?

Malcolm X Shabazz High School has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Malcolm X Shabazz High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Malcolm X Shabazz High School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Malcolm X Shabazz High School rank in NJ?

Malcolm X Shabazz High School is ranked #2008 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Malcolm X Shabazz High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Malcolm X Shabazz High 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 Malcolm X Shabazz High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Malcolm X Shabazz High School has 4.6% math proficiency and 19.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Malcolm X Shabazz High School a charter school?

No, Malcolm X Shabazz High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Malcolm X Shabazz High School a Title I school?

No, Malcolm X Shabazz High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Malcolm X Shabazz High School?

72.3% of students at Malcolm X Shabazz High 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
9th – 12th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.3%
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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