Very Good
#774 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 31% in state
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation
Middle School · ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District
400 CENTRAL AVE, Orange, NJ 07050
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
6.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
8th – 8th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
6.9:1
Score
7.2
Grades
8th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orange
#1 of 9
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#129 of 441
In district
#2 of 12
ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is a middle school located in Orange, New Jersey, within Essex County. Situated at 400 Central Avenue, the school serves eighth-grade students exclusively with an enrollment of 353 pupils. With a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1 and 51 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a relatively low-student-to-teacher environment conducive to individual attention.
The academic performance at Orange Preparatory Academy is currently in need of improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and an overall state ranking of 40th percentile among New Jersey schools. In terms of proficiency levels, only 38% of students meet or exceed the standard for ELA/Reading and 32% do so in Math. While these scores indicate room for academic growth, they reflect a focus on student development.
The school is situated in a large suburban area with easy access to local amenities and community resources. This setting offers a supportive environment for learning and personal growth, making it an important part of the educational landscape in Orange, New Jersey.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation — Students at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 9 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: 9.6/10.
How Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation Compares
See how Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
400 CENTRAL AVE, Orange, NJ 07050
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Roosevelt Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rosa Parks Community School (rated 5.8/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Orange, see our Orange schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07050 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,109
Median Home Value
$336,200
Median Rent
$1,427/mo
Population
33,856
College Educated
21.1%
Homeownership
23.7%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
35.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has a median household income of $53,109. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $336,200, with a median rent of $1,427/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Demarest Middle School Demarest, NJ | 7.2 |
| Readington Middle School Whitehouse Station, NJ | 7.2 |
| Tinton Falls Middle School Tinton Falls, NJ | 7.2 |
| Washington School Millburn, NJ | 7.2 |
| Belhaven Middle School Linwood, NJ | 7.3 |
| Community Middle School Bound Brook, NJ | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation
What grades does Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation serve?
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation serves students in grades 8th through 8th.
How many students attend Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation?
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has an enrollment of approximately 353 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation?
The student-teacher ratio at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is 6.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation rank in NJ?
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is ranked #774 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation's MySchoolScout rating?
Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has 32.4% math proficiency and 37.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation a charter school?
No, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation a Title I school?
No, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation?
60.6% of students at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 8th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 353
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 677-4135
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District- District Enrollment
- 5,918
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,729
- District Rank
- #2 of 12
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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