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Needs Improvement

#2338 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Martin Center for the Arts

Elementary School · Jersey City Public Schools

59 WILKINSON AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Enrollment

434

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,338 of 2,466

In Jersey City

#48 of 52

public schools

In district

#35 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

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Martin Center for the Arts

3.8/10

Elementary School in Jersey City · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gladys Nunery School

4.2/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Whitney M. Young Jr. School

3.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Martin Center for the Arts

Martin Center for the Arts is a public elementary school in Jersey City, NJ, part of Jersey City Public Schools. Martin Center for the Arts serves approximately 434 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Martin Center for the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,338 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Martin Center for the Arts show 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.4
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

41% of students at Martin Center for the Arts were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-40.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.3 pts
Overall Proficiency11% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-14.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,525
Chronic Absenteeism41.2%

Martin Center for the Arts — Students at Martin Center for the Arts score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 12.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 20.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 53 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
26%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
35%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
7%
ELA
14%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
19%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
0.5%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
0.5%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
6%
ELA
11%
2024
Math
7.9%
ELA
16.6%
2025
Math
7.4%
ELA
14.6%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Martin Center for the Arts Compares

See how Martin Center for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
5th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

Location

59 WILKINSON AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Martin Center for the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Julia A. Barnes School (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr. Paul Rafalides School (rated 8.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dr. Maya Angelou Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Gladys Nunery School Jersey City 0.3 mi 4.2
Whitney M. Young Jr. School Jersey City 0.3 mi 3.3
PHILLIPS GLOBAL INSTITUTE Jersey City 0.3 mi
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Jersey City 0.3 mi 4.0
Academy I Jersey City 0.5 mi 8.0
Henry Snyder High School Jersey City 0.5 mi 4.5
Innovation High School Jersey City 0.5 mi 5.3
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City 0.7 mi 3.5
Dr Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Jersey City 0.7 mi 4.8
Chaplain Charles Watters School Jersey City 0.8 mi 5.3
President Barack Obama Elementary School Jersey City 0.7 mi 5.8
James F. Murray School Jersey City 0.7 mi 6.2
Empowerment Academy Charter School Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.6
Dr. Maya Angelou Elementary School Jersey City 0.8 mi 6.9
Jersey City Community Charter School Jersey City 0.9 mi 6.8
Lincoln High School Jersey City 1.0 mi 3.7
University Academy Charter High School Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.0
Dr. Paul Rafalides School Jersey City 1.0 mi 8.1
Julia A. Barnes School Jersey City 1.1 mi 8.5
TET CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jersey City 1.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,126

Median Home Value

$418,200

Median Rent

$1,610/mo

Population

71,643

College Educated

34.6%

Homeownership

42.6%

Avg Commute

38.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Academy Street Elementary School Dover, NJ 3.8
Benjamin Franklin School No. 13 Elizabeth, NJ 3.8
Shady Lane Elementary School Westville, NJ 3.8
YESHIVAT YAGDIL TORAH Lakewood, NJ 3.8
E Raymond Appleby Elementary School Spotswood, NJ 3.7
Lincoln Elementary School Rockaway, NJ 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Martin Center for the Arts

What grades does Martin Center for the Arts serve?

Martin Center for the Arts serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Martin Center for the Arts?

Martin Center for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Martin Center for the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Martin Center for the Arts is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Martin Center for the Arts rank in NJ?

Martin Center for the Arts ranks #2,338 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Martin Center for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Martin Center for the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Martin Center for the Arts?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Martin Center for the Arts has 13% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Martin Center for the Arts a charter school?

No, Martin Center for the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Martin Center for the Arts a Title I school?

No, Martin Center for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Martin Center for the Arts?

74.9% of students at Martin Center for the Arts 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

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Transit Score
68 Good Transit
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

District

Jersey City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,293
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,525
District Rank
#35 of 39

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