Average
#1363 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy
High School · Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County
129 Bull Run Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
107
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pennington
#2 of 2
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#228 of 422
In district
#3 of 4
Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is a high school located in Pennington, New Jersey. It focuses on vocational education with an emphasis on culinary arts for students in grades 9 through 12. The school has an enrollment of 107 students and employs 7 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of about 15 to 1.
The academic performance at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy shows room for improvement, with the MySchoolScout rating sitting at 4.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of 23rd percentile among New Jersey schools. In terms of subject proficiency, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while only 14% meet these standards in Math. Despite the academic scores, the school offers specialized culinary programs that can be very beneficial for students interested in pursuing careers in the food industry.
The setting is a large suburban area, providing a mix of residential and commercial environments around the campus. Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy stands out as an option for those seeking vocational training with a strong focus on culinary arts.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 107 students, Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy 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 metricsView breakdown
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Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy — Students at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 8 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: 9.9/10.
How Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy Compares
See how Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 24.5% (2019) to 30% (2022).
Location
129 Bull Run Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lawrence High School (rated 7.7/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Lawrenceville), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE PENNINGTON SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mercer County Technical School STEM Academy (rated 6.6/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pennington, see our Pennington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 08534 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$180,491
Median Home Value
$573,100
Median Rent
$2,106/mo
Population
13,174
College Educated
71.9%
Homeownership
85.6%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
3.6%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy has a median household income of $180,491. It is a well-educated community where 72% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $573,100, with a median rent of $2,106/month. The local poverty rate of 3.6% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| YESHIVA BAIS HACHINUCH Lakewood, NJ | 6.1 |
| NEW ROAD SCHOOL OF SOMERSET Somerset, NJ | 5.9 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL Lodi, NJ | 6.3 |
| YESHIVA CHAYEI OLAM Lakewood, NJ | 6.3 |
| MESIVTA OHR CHAIM MEIR Lakewood, NJ | 5.8 |
| Ocean County Vocational Technical School Waretown Center Waretown, NJ | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy
What grades does Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy serve?
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy?
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 107 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy rank in NJ?
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is ranked #1363 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy 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 Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy has 13.8% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy a charter school?
No, Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy a Title I school?
No, Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy?
42.1% of students at Mercer County Technical School Culinary Arts Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (583/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pennington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 107
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.1%
- Type
- vocational
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Mercer County
- Phone
- (609) 737-9784
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Area Vocational Technical School District of Mercer County- District Enrollment
- 365
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $37,756
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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