Below Average
#2030 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
School · Marion P. Thomas Charter School
125 Sussex Ave, Newark, NJ 07103
Enrollment
1,393
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
1,393
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#42 of 61
public schools
New Jersey schools
#92 of 104
Academic growth
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Marion P. Thomas Charter School serves 1,393 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Newark, New Jersey. This public charter school operates with 65 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1.
The school faces significant academic challenges, with 24% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 7% reaching proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels. These results place Marion P. Thomas among schools with considerable room for academic growth, ranking in the 3rd percentile statewide at #2401 out of 2475 New Jersey schools.
As a comprehensive PK-12 institution, the school provides continuity for families seeking a single educational pathway from early childhood through high school graduation. The charter school structure may offer some flexibility in curriculum and programming approaches as the school works to better serve its student population. Marion P.
Thomas Charter School is located on Sussex Avenue in Newark's 07103 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $40,653 and 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves a community where nearly 30% of families face economic challenges, operating within Essex County's largest city environment.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Marion P. Thomas 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 Marion P. Thomas Charter School is 21.4:1, 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.
Marion P. Thomas 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Marion P. Thomas Charter School — Students at Marion P. Thomas Charter School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 21 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Marion P. Thomas Charter School Compares
See how Marion P. Thomas Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 19% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 24% (2022).
Location
125 Sussex Ave, Newark, NJ 07103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Marion P. Thomas Charter School may also want to explore other 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, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McKinley Elementary School Newark | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Philip's Academy Charter School Newark | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Essex County Newark Tech Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Science Park High School Newark | 0.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Barringer High School Newark | 0.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Sussex Avenue School Newark | 0.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Dr. E. Alma Flagg School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Newark School of Global Studies Newark | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Franklin Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| North Star Academy Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| ALIF MUHAMMAD WIA SCHOOL Newark | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Newark | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Arts High School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School Newark | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Discovery Charter School Newark | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark | 0.8 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 Marion P. Thomas 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 |
|---|---|
| Central Jersey College Prep Charter School Somerset, NJ | 4.9 |
| Leap Academy University Charter School Camden, NJ | 5.0 |
| Paterson Arts and Science Charter School Fair Lawn, NJ | 4.4 |
| BelovED Community Charter School Jersey City, NJ | 5.1 |
| Empowerment Academy Charter School Jersey City, NJ | 5.1 |
| PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL Princeton, NJ | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Marion P. Thomas Charter School
What grades does Marion P. Thomas Charter School serve?
Marion P. Thomas Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Marion P. Thomas Charter School?
Marion P. Thomas Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 1,393 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Marion P. Thomas Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at Marion P. Thomas Charter School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Marion P. Thomas Charter School rank in NJ?
Marion P. Thomas Charter School is ranked #2030 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Marion P. Thomas Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Marion P. Thomas Charter School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Marion P. Thomas Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Marion P. Thomas Charter School has 11.5% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Marion P. Thomas Charter School a charter school?
Yes, Marion P. Thomas Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Marion P. Thomas Charter School a Title I school?
No, Marion P. Thomas Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Marion P. Thomas Charter School?
31.4% of students at Marion P. Thomas 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
- Walk Score
- 88 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 81 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 65 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 – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,393
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 621-0060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Marion P. Thomas Charter School- District Enrollment
- 1,402
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,849
- 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.