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Below Average

#2197 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Union City High School

High School · Union City School District

2500 Kennedy Blvd, Union City, NJ 07087

Enrollment

3,089

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,197 of 2,466

In Union City

#14 of 14

public schools

In district

#14 of 14

Union City School District

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Union City High School

4.5/10

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

Robert Waters Elementary School

7.3/10

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

Eugenio Maria De Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education

8.5/10

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

About Union City High School

Union City High School is a public high school in Union City, NJ, part of Union City School District. Union City High School serves approximately 3,089 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Union City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,197 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Union City High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • NJ avg 5.8

What Parents Should Know

Union City High School is a large school: 3,089 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-3.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-20.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.2 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness5.0Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,362
Chronic Absenteeism26.9%

Union City High School — Students at Union City High School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 32 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
58%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
88%
2014
Math
15%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
16%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
24.1%
ELA
58.9%
2025
Math
20.9%
ELA
55%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Union City High School Compares

See how Union City High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3.2
Sports
23
12 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
181 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
1.8% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
12 boys'·11 girls'·50 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

2500 Kennedy Blvd, Union City, NJ 07087

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union City High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jose Marti STEM Academy (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Weehawken High School (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Weehawken), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union City, see our Union City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Robert Waters Elementary School Union City 0.1 mi 7.3
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.2 mi 8.5
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.4 mi 8.7
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.4 mi 6.5
ST FRANCIS ACADEMY Union City 0.5 mi 6.5
Sara M. Gilmore Academy Union City 0.5 mi 8.4
Emerson Middle School Union City 0.5 mi 6.9
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.4 mi 6.7
Veterans' Memorial Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 6.6
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.6 mi 8.1
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 7.7
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 8.4
Jefferson Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 8.1
George Washington Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 6.0
John F Kennedy Elementary School N. Bergen 0.7 mi 5.2
Union Hill Middle School Union City 0.7 mi 6.7
Thomas A Edison Elementary School Union City 1.0 mi 8.5
RISING STAR ACADEMY Union City 1.0 mi 6.5
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken Hoboken 1.2 mi 8.0
Weehawken High School Weehawken 1.0 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07087 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,369

Median Home Value

$446,800

Median Rent

$1,489/mo

Population

66,375

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

20.4%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

21.3%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Old Bridge High School Matawan, NJ 4.5
Edison High School Edison, NJ 4.4
Howell High School Farmingdale, NJ 4.6
Egg Harbor Township High School Egg Harbor Township, NJ 4.7
Kingsway Regional High School Woolwich Twp, NJ 4.3
North Brunswick Township High School North Brunswick, NJ 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union City High School

What grades does Union City High School serve?

Union City High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Union City High School?

Union City High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,089 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union City High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union City High School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Union City High School rank in NJ?

Union City High School ranks #2,197 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Union City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union City High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Union City High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Union City High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Union City High School a charter school?

No, Union City High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Union City High School a Title I school?

No, Union City High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Union City High School?

76.6% of students at Union City High 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
97 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
84 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
54 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,089
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
181
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.9%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

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