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Below Average

#2145 of 2,466 schools in NJ

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

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,145 of 2,466

In Elizabeth

#34 of 37

public schools

In district

#34 of 37

Elizabeth Public Schools

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Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

4.6/10

High School in Elizabeth · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Elizabeth High School - Frank J Cicarell Academy

8.2/10

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

Winfield Scott School No. 2

6.7/10

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

About Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy is a public high school in Elizabeth, NJ, part of Elizabeth Public Schools. Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy serves approximately 1,156 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,145 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-8.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency53% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-30.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.2 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation12.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$25,711
Chronic Absenteeism18.6%

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy — Students at Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 33 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
6%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
11%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
9%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
9%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
17.8%
ELA
62.2%
2025
Math
10.7%
ELA
53%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy Compares

See how Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
13th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.2
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
86 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
12.3% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

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 8.2/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy (rated 5.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Elizabeth, see our Elizabeth schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Elizabeth High School - Frank J Cicarell Academy Elizabeth 0.1 mi 8.2
Winfield Scott School No. 2 Elizabeth 0.2 mi 6.7
Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy Elizabeth 0.2 mi 4.8
John E. Dwyer Technology Academy Elizabeth 0.2 mi 4.0
K. Johnson D. Vaughan and M. Jackson STEM Academy Elizabeth 0.4 mi 3.4
Nicholas S. Lacorte-Peterstown School No. 3 Elizabeth 0.5 mi 5.9
Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center No 51 Elizabeth 0.8 mi 5.4
Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy Elizabeth 0.8 mi 5.0
Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy Elizabeth 0.7 mi 7.8
Toussaint L'Ouverture-Marquis de Lafayette School No. 6 Elizabeth 0.8 mi 6.2
Christopher Columbus School No. 15 Elizabeth 0.8 mi 6.6
Joseph Battin School No 4 Elizabeth 0.9 mi 6.8
Sonia Sotomayor School No 25 Elizabeth 0.8 mi 7.3
Woodrow Wilson School No. 19 Elizabeth 0.9 mi 6.6
Terence C. Reilly School No 7 Elizabeth 0.9 mi 7.7
Dr. Antonia Pantoja School No. 27 Elizabeth 1.0 mi 6.3
Mabel G. Holmes School No. 5 Elizabeth 1.1 mi 6.7
William F. Halloran School No.22 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 8.0
Abraham Lincoln School No. 14 Elizabeth 0.9 mi 6.0
Nicholas Murray Butler Academy School No. 23 Elizabeth 1.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carteret High School Carteret, NJ 4.6
Jackson Memorial High School Jackson, NJ 4.6
Memorial Senior High School Elmwood Park, NJ 4.6
Pinelands Regional High School Little Egg Harbor, NJ 4.6
Salem County Career and Technical High School Woodstown, NJ 4.6
Ewing High School Ewing, NJ 4.5

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 ranks #2,145 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
61 Good Transit
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.6%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

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