Average
#1198 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 49% in state
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
High School · Elizabeth Public Schools
27 Martin Luther King Jr Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Enrollment
1,156
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,156
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Elizabeth
#3 of 9
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#198 of 422
In district
#11 of 37
Elizabeth Public Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy serves 1,156 students in grades 9-12 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1 across 86 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school focuses on arts education while working to strengthen academic outcomes for its diverse student body. The school faces academic challenges, with room for significant growth in core subjects.
While 57% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts, mathematics presents a particular area of focus, with 8% of students achieving proficiency. The school ranks in the 24th percentile among New Jersey high schools, indicating substantial opportunities for academic improvement and student development. Located at 27 Martin Luther King Jr Plaza in Union County, the academy serves a community where the median household income is $60,377 and median home value reaches $363,800.
The surrounding neighborhood has a college graduation rate of 15% and a poverty rate of 17%, reflecting the socioeconomic diversity that characterizes much of Elizabeth. Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy operates within Elizabeth's large suburban setting, providing arts-focused education to students from varied backgrounds while working to enhance academic achievement across all subject areas.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy — Students at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.9%
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
↑ 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: 9.8/10.
How Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy Compares
See how Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 6% (2019) to 8% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
27 Martin Luther King Jr Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elizabeth High School - Frank J Cicarell Academy (rated 8.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy (rated 7.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John E. Dwyer Technology Academy (rated 6.3/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Elizabeth, see our Elizabeth schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,026
Median Home Value
$413,000
Median Rent
$1,476/mo
Population
27,725
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
19.9%
Avg Commute
29.7 min
Poverty Rate
18.7%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has a median household income of $62,026. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $413,000, with a median rent of $1,476/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Arthur L. Johnson High School Clark, NJ | 6.4 |
| East Brunswick Magnet School East Brunswick, NJ | 6.4 |
| Harrison High School Harrison, NJ | 6.4 |
| Jefferson Township High School Oak Ridge, NJ | 6.4 |
| Vernon Township High School Vernon, NJ | 6.4 |
| Wayne Hills High School Wayne, NJ | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy
What grades does Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy serve?
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy?
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,156 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy rank in NJ?
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is ranked #1198 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has 12.8% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy a charter school?
No, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy a Title I school?
No, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy?
78.9% of students at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy 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
- Walk Score
- 97 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 61 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 54 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,069/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Elizabeth). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,156
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 86
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (908) 436-6767
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Elizabeth Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 28,334
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,711
- District Rank
- #11 of 37
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.