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Excellent

#2 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 1% in state

Michelle Obama Elementary School

Elementary School · Newark Public School District

186 14th Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103

Enrollment

169

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

9.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2 of 2,466

In Newark

#1 of 80

public schools

In district

#1 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Michelle Obama Elementary School

9.8/10

Elementary School in Newark · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John F. Kennedy School

5.6/10

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

Thirteenth Avenue School

5.8/10

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

About Michelle Obama Elementary School

Michelle Obama Elementary School is a public elementary school in Newark, NJ, part of Newark Public School District. Michelle Obama Elementary School serves approximately 169 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Michelle Obama Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 out of 10 and ranks #2 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Michelle Obama Elementary School show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

How it compares3.2 pts above district
  • This school 9.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.6
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 169 students, Michelle Obama Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+12.7 pts/yr
Data Period2024–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency74.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+35.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.1 pts
Overall Proficiency78% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)22% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+55.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,680
Chronic Absenteeism3.6%

Michelle Obama Elementary School — Students at Michelle Obama Elementary School score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.3% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
46.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 70.7% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
50.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2024
Math
70%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
81.1%
ELA
74.3%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.

How Michelle Obama Elementary School Compares

See how Michelle Obama Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.8/10
100th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
3.6%

Location

186 14th Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Michelle Obama Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is South 17th Street School (rated 7.1/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Avon Avenue School (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
John F. Kennedy School Newark 0.2 mi 5.6
Thirteenth Avenue School Newark 0.3 mi 5.8
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 0.3 mi 6.4
Camden Street Elementary School Newark 0.3 mi 6.3
West Side High School Newark 0.3 mi 3.4
Bard Early College High School Newark 0.4 mi 8.0
LEAD Charter School Newark 0.3 mi 3.0
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 5.1
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.6 mi 8.7
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 6.2
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.6 mi 4.5
Central High School Newark 0.7 mi 4.2
South 17th Street School Newark 0.6 mi 7.1
Avon Avenue School Newark 0.9 mi 6.8
ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark 0.7 mi 8.0
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark 0.9 mi 7.4
Fourteenth Avenue School Newark 0.8 mi 4.1
Grove Street Elementary School Irvington 0.8 mi 5.7
Science Park High School Newark 0.8 mi 8.6
Philip's Academy Charter School Newark 0.9 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Wandell School Saddle River, NJ 9.7
Bay Head Elementary Bay Head, NJ 9.4
Bowne-Munro Elementary School East Brunswick, NJ 9.3
Lyncrest Elementary School Fair Lawn, NJ 9.3
Island Heights Elementary School Island Heights, NJ 9.2
Luther Lee Emerson School Demarest, NJ 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Michelle Obama Elementary School

What grades does Michelle Obama Elementary School serve?

Michelle Obama Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Michelle Obama Elementary School?

Michelle Obama Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 169 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Michelle Obama Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Michelle Obama Elementary School is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Michelle Obama Elementary School rank in NJ?

Michelle Obama Elementary School ranks #2 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Michelle Obama Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Michelle Obama Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.8 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 Michelle Obama Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Michelle Obama Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

Is Michelle Obama Elementary School a charter school?

No, Michelle Obama Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Michelle Obama Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Michelle Obama Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Michelle Obama Elementary School?

81.7% of students at Michelle Obama 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
79 Very Walkable
Transit Score
64 Good Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
169
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
3.6%

District

Newark Public School District
District Enrollment
42,791
Schools in District
64
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,680
District Rank
#1 of 63

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