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Below Average

#2211 of 2,466 schools in NJ

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

4.4

Grades

8th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,211 of 2,466

In Orange

#10 of 11

public schools

In district

#11 of 12

ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation

4.4/10

Middle School in Orange · grades 8th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Orange High School

3.6/10

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

Lincoln Avenue Elementary School

7.5/10

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

About Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation

Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation is a public middle school in Orange, NJ, part of ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District. Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation serves approximately 353 students, and covers grades 8th-8th, and has a 6.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,211 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 6.9:1 students to teachers, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-16.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.2 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-5.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio6.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,729
Chronic Absenteeism12.2%

Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation — Students at Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
27.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 33 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
35%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
31%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
55%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
55%
2013
Math
34%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
31%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
23%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
31%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
51.1%
ELA
39.3%
2025
Math
12.3%
ELA
45.1%

* 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: 1.6/10.

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.

Overall Score
4.4/10
10th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Rosa Parks Community School (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby W. Orange), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orange, see our Orange schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Orange High School Orange 0.1 mi 3.6
Lincoln Avenue Elementary School Orange 0.1 mi 7.5
Rosa Parks Community School Orange 0.6 mi 8.5
Central Elementary School Orange 0.6 mi 5.1
Forest Street Community Elementary School Orange 0.6 mi 6.9
Heywood Avenue Elementary School Orange 0.7 mi 6.0
Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange 0.7 mi 5.6
SETON HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL West Orange 0.8 mi 4.5
Oakwood Avenue Community School Orange 0.7 mi 6.5
ZADIE'S EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER East Orange 0.8 mi
Orange Early Childhood Center Orange 0.9 mi 5.5
GOLDA OCH ACADEMY West Orange 1.0 mi 7.7
SOUTH ORANGE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL South Orange 1.0 mi
Park Avenue Elementary School Orange 1.0 mi 4.8
STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges South Orange 1.1 mi 7.5
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL East Orange 1.2 mi 5.3
East Orange Community Charter School East Orange 1.0 mi 5.9
Roosevelt Middle School W. Orange 1.0 mi 8.2
Gregory Elementary School W. Orange 1.1 mi 8.7
West Orange Early Childhood Learning Center West Orange 1.4 mi

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hardyston Township Middle School Hamburg, NJ 4.4
Samuel M Ridgway Middle School Edgewater Park, NJ 4.4
Sojourner Truth Middle School East Orange, NJ 4.5
Ezra L. Nolan School Jersey City, NJ 4.3
John L. Costley Middle School East Orange, NJ 4.6
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Asbury Park, NJ 4.2

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 ranks #2,211 of 2,466 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 current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Orange Preparatory Academy School of Inquiry and Innovation has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
89 Very Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
12.2%

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