Average
#1732 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Rafael Hernandez School
Elementary School · Newark Public School District
345 BROADWAY, Newark, NJ 07104
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
653
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#34 of 61
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#1,027 of 1,496
In district
#37 of 63
Newark Public School District
Academic growth
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Rafael Hernandez School
Rafael Hernandez School is a regular public school located in the heart of Newark, New Jersey. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Rafael Hernandez offers a wide range of educational opportunities within its diverse city setting. With an enrollment of 653 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment supported by 44 full-time equivalent teachers.
While academic performance metrics show room for growth, Rafael Hernandez School remains committed to fostering the development of its students in all aspects of their education. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 21%, and Math proficiency stands at 7%, with Science showing no students reaching proficient levels. Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff continues to work towards improving academic outcomes for every child.
Rafael Hernandez School is situated in a bustling urban area, where it plays an integral role in supporting the local community through its educational programs and services.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Rafael Hernandez 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Rafael Hernandez School — Students at Rafael Hernandez School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 19 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: 7.3/10.
How Rafael Hernandez School Compares
See how Rafael Hernandez School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 11% (2019) to 4% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 13% (2022).
Location
345 BROADWAY, Newark, NJ 07104
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rafael Hernandez School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ridge Street School (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McKinley Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hamilton Intermediate School (rated 6.2/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Harrison), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Roberto Clemente Elementary School Newark | 0.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Technology High School Newark | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Robert Treat Academy Charter School Newark | 0.4 mi | 3.9 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Newark | 0.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Early Childhood School - North Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Washington Elementary School Kearny | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Franklin Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Newark School of Global Studies Newark | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.5 |
| Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Newark School of Fashion & Design Newark | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Garfield Elementary School Kearny | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| East Newark Elementary School E. Newark | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Barringer High School Newark | 0.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Elliott Street Elementary School Newark | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| McKinley Elementary School Newark | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Hamilton Intermediate School Harrison | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Ridge Street School Newark | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Abington Avenue School Newark | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| First Avenue School Newark | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,199
Median Home Value
$337,400
Median Rent
$1,343/mo
Population
54,277
College Educated
20.9%
Homeownership
24.9%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
22.7%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rafael Hernandez School has a median household income of $51,199. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $337,400, with a median rent of $1,343/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Abram P. Morris Early Childhood Center Hillside, NJ | 5.4 |
| Alpine Elementary School Sparta, NJ | 5.4 |
| BNOS ESTHER MALKA Lakewood, NJ | 5.4 |
| Charles E. Trefurt School Jersey City, NJ | 5.4 |
| Edward T. Hamilton Voorhees, NJ | 5.4 |
| Franklin Borough School Franklin, NJ | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rafael Hernandez School
What grades does Rafael Hernandez School serve?
Rafael Hernandez School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Rafael Hernandez School?
Rafael Hernandez School has an enrollment of approximately 653 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rafael Hernandez School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rafael Hernandez School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rafael Hernandez School rank in NJ?
Rafael Hernandez School is ranked #1732 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Rafael Hernandez School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rafael Hernandez School 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 Rafael Hernandez School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rafael Hernandez School has 7.3% math proficiency and 20.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rafael Hernandez School a charter school?
No, Rafael Hernandez School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rafael Hernandez School a Title I school?
No, Rafael Hernandez School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rafael Hernandez School?
78.6% of students at Rafael Hernandez 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 653
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 481-5004
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #37 of 63
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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