Average
#1738 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Passaic High School No. 12
High School · Passaic City School District
170 Paulison Ave., Passaic, NJ 07055
Enrollment
2,580
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,580
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Passaic
#17 of 18
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#297 of 422
In district
#17 of 18
Passaic City School District
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Passaic High School No. 12
Passaic High School No. 12 serves 2,580 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 and 173 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school is currently working through significant academic challenges, with considerable room for growth in both English Language Arts, where 14% of students perform at proficient levels, and mathematics, where 2% achieve proficiency. The school ranks in the bottom percentile among New Jersey's high schools, reflecting the ongoing efforts needed to support student achievement.
Located on Paulison Avenue in Passaic, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $57,832 and nearly 22% of residents face economic hardships. The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 16%, suggesting opportunities for the school to strengthen pathways to higher education for its students. Despite current academic standings, the school's substantial enrollment and manageable class sizes provide a foundation for focused improvement efforts.
The institution operates within a working-class community where median home values reach $379,800, indicating stable residential roots. Passaic High School No. 12 sits in a large suburban setting that serves as home to over 70,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code area.
What Parents Should Know
Passaic High School No. 12 is a large school with 2,580 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 Passaic High School No. 12 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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Passaic High School No. 12 — Students at Passaic High School No. 12 score 8% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 7%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Passaic High School No. 12 Compares
See how Passaic High School No. 12 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 2% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 15% (2019) to 14% (2022).
Location
170 Paulison Ave., Passaic, NJ 07055
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Passaic High School No. 12 may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering (rated 8.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Passaic Preparatory Academy (rated 8.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hope Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Passaic, see our Passaic schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07055 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,780
Median Home Value
$406,500
Median Rent
$1,392/mo
Population
69,651
College Educated
16.9%
Homeownership
23.5%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
23%
Median Age
30.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Passaic High School No. 12 has a median household income of $56,780. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $406,500, with a median rent of $1,392/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy High School Paterson, NJ | 5.4 |
| Gloucester County Institute of Technology Sewell, NJ | 5.5 |
| Phillipsburg High School Phillipsburg, NJ | 5.5 |
| Bloomfield High School Bloomfield, NJ | 5.3 |
| Clifton High School Clifton, NJ | 5.3 |
| Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Scotch Plains, NJ | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Passaic High School No. 12
What grades does Passaic High School No. 12 serve?
Passaic High School No. 12 serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Passaic High School No. 12?
Passaic High School No. 12 has an enrollment of approximately 2,580 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Passaic High School No. 12?
The student-teacher ratio at Passaic High School No. 12 is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Passaic High School No. 12 rank in NJ?
Passaic High School No. 12 is ranked #1738 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Passaic High School No. 12's MySchoolScout rating?
Passaic High School No. 12 has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Passaic High School No. 12?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Passaic High School No. 12 has 1.9% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Passaic High School No. 12 a charter school?
No, Passaic High School No. 12 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Passaic High School No. 12 a Title I school?
No, Passaic High School No. 12 is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Passaic High School No. 12?
97.9% of students at Passaic High School No. 12 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,580
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 173
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Passaic County
- Phone
- (973) 470-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Passaic City School District- District Enrollment
- 12,366
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $33,289
- District Rank
- #17 of 18
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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