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Needs Improvement

#2330 of 2,463 schools in NJ

New Brunswick High School

High School · New Brunswick School District

1000 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Enrollment

2,504

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In New Brunswick

#10 of 11

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#400 of 422

In district

#10 of 11

New Brunswick School District

About New Brunswick High School

New Brunswick High School serves 2,504 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, supported by 172 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school is currently focusing on student development, with significant room for academic growth as indicated by its 2.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking of 2,429 out of 2,475 New Jersey high schools. The school faces academic challenges, with 17% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 5% in mathematics across grade levels.

These outcomes reflect the broader socioeconomic context of the community, where nearly one-third of residents live below the poverty line and the median household income is $57,138. Despite these challenges, the school's substantial size allows for diverse programming opportunities, and the dedicated teaching staff works to support students from varied backgrounds. The relatively manageable class sizes, given the school's scale, provide opportunities for more individualized attention.

New Brunswick High School sits in the heart of New Brunswick, a diverse small city in Middlesex County known for its cultural richness and proximity to Rutgers University. The surrounding ZIP code area houses nearly 57,000 residents in a community where median home values reach $289,800, reflecting the area's ongoing development and potential.

What Parents Should Know

New Brunswick High School is a large school with 2,504 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at New Brunswick 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 Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-41.2 pts
Overall Proficiency11%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-21.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,376

New Brunswick High School — Students at New Brunswick High School score 11% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 6.5%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 25.4%
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
8%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
17%
2024
Math
6.1%
ELA
26.6%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How New Brunswick High School Compares

See how New Brunswick High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
5th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
172 teachers

Location

1000 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering New Brunswick High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Conerly Road School (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Somerset), which scores notably higher. Another option is MacAfee Road School (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Somerset), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Brunswick Twp Early Childhood Center (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby North Brunswick), which scores notably higher. For more schools in New Brunswick, see our New Brunswick schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus Somerset 0.7 mi 5.3
Mckinley Community School New Brunswick 0.6 mi 6.2
Hillcrest School Somerset 0.8 mi 5.4
New Brunswick Middle School New Brunswick 0.9 mi 5.2
John Adams North Brunswick 1.2 mi 6.6
Livingston Park North Brunswick 1.2 mi 4.6
Greater Brunswick Charter School New Brunswick 1.0 mi 4.6
Pine Grove Manor School Somerset 1.3 mi 5.7
MacAfee Road School Somerset 1.3 mi 7.1
LITTLE SPRING MONTESSORI ACADEMY North Brunswick 1.5 mi
Linwood School North Brunswick 1.4 mi 5.1
North Brunswick Twp Early Childhood Center North Brunswick 1.4 mi 7.1
Conerly Road School Somerset 1.8 mi 7.8
Parsons North Brunswick 1.5 mi 5.0
Blanquita B. Valenti Community School New Brunswick 1.5 mi 7.1
ST MATTHIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Somerset 1.8 mi 6.5
New Brunswick Adult High School New Brunswick 1.6 mi
GODDARD SCHOOL NORTH BRUNSWICK North Brunswick 2.1 mi
North Brunswick Township High School North Brunswick 2.1 mi 6.2
Livingston Elementary School New Brunswick 1.6 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,248

Median Home Value

$316,800

Median Rent

$1,790/mo

Population

56,766

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

21.8%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

31.6%

Median Age

24.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding New Brunswick High School has a median household income of $60,248. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $316,800, with a median rent of $1,790/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Irvington High School Irvington, NJ 4.0
Plainfield High School Plainfield, NJ 3.8
Union City High School Union City, NJ 4.0
Union High School Union, NJ 3.8
Millville High School Millville, NJ 4.1
William L Dickinson High School Jersey City, NJ 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about New Brunswick High School

What grades does New Brunswick High School serve?

New Brunswick High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend New Brunswick High School?

New Brunswick High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,504 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at New Brunswick High School?

The student-teacher ratio at New Brunswick High School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does New Brunswick High School rank in NJ?

New Brunswick High School is ranked #2330 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is New Brunswick High School's MySchoolScout rating?

New Brunswick High School has a composite rating of 3.9 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 New Brunswick High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Brunswick High School has 6.5% math proficiency and 25.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is New Brunswick High School a charter school?

No, New Brunswick High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is New Brunswick High School a Title I school?

No, New Brunswick High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Brunswick High School?

53.6% of students at New Brunswick 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

Walk Score
61 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,336/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Brunswick). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,504
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
172
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Middlesex 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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