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Below Average

#2317 of 2,463 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

4.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Union City

#3 of 3

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#399 of 422

In district

#14 of 14

Union City School District

About Union City High School

Union City High School serves 3,089 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, making it one of New Jersey's larger high schools. The school is staffed by 181 full-time equivalent teachers who work with a diverse student body in this Hudson County community. Academically, Union City High School has significant room for growth, with 35% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 11% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 6th percentile statewide, indicating opportunities for focused improvement in student outcomes and educational programming. The school draws from a working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $59,967 and about one in five families faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 20.3%. Despite these socioeconomic factors, the community shows investment in education, reflected in median home values of $448,000.

About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Kennedy Boulevard, Union City High School sits in the heart of a densely populated suburban area with nearly 67,000 residents in the surrounding ZIP code, creating a vibrant, multicultural environment that reflects the broader character of this Hudson County community.

What Parents Should Know

Union City High School is a large school with 3,089 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35%
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+3.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$26,604

Union City High School — Students at Union City High School score 23% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
26%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2024
Math
24.1%
ELA
58.9%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Union City High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
6th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
181 teachers

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 9.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Weehawken High School (rated 5.8/10, 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 7.8
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.2 mi 7.9
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.4 mi 9.1
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.4 mi 4.8
ST FRANCIS ACADEMY Union City 0.5 mi 6.5
Sara M. Gilmore Academy Union City 0.5 mi 6.6
Emerson Middle School Union City 0.5 mi 7.0
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.4 mi 7.1
Veterans' Memorial Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 6.8
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.6 mi 8.1
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 8.2
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 4.7
Jefferson Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 5.8
George Washington Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 5.6
John F Kennedy Elementary School N. Bergen 0.7 mi 5.7
Union Hill Middle School Union City 0.7 mi 7.5
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 7.9
Weehawken High School Weehawken 1.0 mi 5.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union City High School has a median household income of $65,369. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,800, with a median rent of $1,489/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
William L Dickinson High School Jersey City, NJ 4.1
New Brunswick High School New Brunswick, NJ 3.9
North Bergen High School N. Bergen, NJ 4.2
Plainfield High School Plainfield, NJ 3.8
Union High School Union, NJ 3.8
Toms River High School North Toms River, NJ 4.4

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 is ranked #2317 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Union City High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union City High School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Union City High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union City High School has 18.3% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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