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#1694 of 2,463 schools in NJ

University Academy Charter High School

High School · University Academy Charter High School

275 WEST SIDE AVENUE, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Charter

Enrollment

433

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

5.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jersey City

#28 of 44

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#287 of 422

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About University Academy Charter High School

University Academy Charter High School is a charter school located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 433 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 with 36 full-time teachers on staff. The setting is in a large urban area within Hudson County.

While University Academy Charter High School currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10, the school focuses heavily on student development and offers an environment that supports learning for all its students. Academically, the school ranks at the 20th percentile among New Jersey schools, with only 35% proficiency in ELA/reading and 10% proficiency in math across all grades. These scores indicate areas where the school is working to improve student performance.

Located in a bustling city environment, University Academy Charter High School is immersed in a vibrant community that offers various resources and opportunities for its students outside of the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at University Academy Charter High 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.

University Academy Charter High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.4Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-34 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.2 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,878

University Academy Charter High School — Students at University Academy Charter High School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 9.6%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 34.6%
School
State
58.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
9%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
14.4%
ELA
44.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How University Academy Charter High School Compares

See how University Academy Charter High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

275 WEST SIDE AVENUE, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Academy Charter High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Infinity Institute (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Innovation High School (rated 8.1/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Henry Snyder High School (rated 4.0/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
James F. Murray School Jersey City 0.3 mi 6.5
Empowerment Academy Charter School Jersey City 0.4 mi 5.1
Henry Snyder High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 4.0
Innovation High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.1
Academy I Jersey City 0.4 mi 7.0
Chaplain Charles Watters School Jersey City 0.5 mi 5.3
President Barack Obama Elementary School Jersey City 0.7 mi 5.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.0
Dr. Paul Rafalides School Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.7
PHILLIPS GLOBAL INSTITUTE Jersey City 0.6 mi
Whitney M. Young Jr. School Jersey City 0.7 mi 3.5
Gladys Nunery School Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.2
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City 0.8 mi 4.6
Martin Center for the Arts Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.3
Jersey City Community Charter School Jersey City 1.1 mi 4.9
Dr. Maya Angelou Elementary School Jersey City 1.1 mi 6.3
Infinity Institute Jersey City 1.1 mi 9.3
TET CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jersey City 1.1 mi
Soaring Heights Charter School Jersey City 1.1 mi 7.6
ST ALOYSIUS ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Jersey City 1.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07305 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$77,126

Median Home Value

$418,200

Median Rent

$1,610/mo

Population

71,643

College Educated

34.6%

Homeownership

42.6%

Avg Commute

38.9 min

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Age

35.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding University Academy Charter High School has a median household income of $77,126. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,200, with a median rent of $1,610/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camden High School Camden, NJ 5.4
Dunellen High School Dunellen, NJ 5.4
ST JOSEPH REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Montvale, NJ 5.4
Cape May County Technical High School Cape May Court House, NJ 5.5
Newark Vocational High School Newark, NJ 5.5
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Metuchen, NJ 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Academy Charter High School

What grades does University Academy Charter High School serve?

University Academy Charter High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend University Academy Charter High School?

University Academy Charter High School has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Academy Charter High School?

The student-teacher ratio at University Academy Charter High School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University Academy Charter High School rank in NJ?

University Academy Charter High School is ranked #1694 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is University Academy Charter High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University Academy Charter High 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 University Academy Charter High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University Academy Charter High School has 9.6% math proficiency and 34.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is University Academy Charter High School a charter school?

Yes, University Academy Charter High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is University Academy Charter High School a Title I school?

No, University Academy Charter High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for University Academy Charter High School?

82.7% of students at University Academy Charter 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

City Safety
High (2,593/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Jersey City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

University Academy Charter High School
District Enrollment
433
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,211
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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