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Excellent

#251 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 10% in state

University High School

High School · Newark Public School District

55 CLINTON PL, Newark, NJ 07108

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

8.3

Grades

8th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#251 of 2,466

In Newark

#5 of 80

public schools

In district

#5 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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University High School

8.3/10

High School in Newark · grades 8th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hawthorne Avenue School

6.4/10

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

Thurgood Marshall Elementary School

4.7/10

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

About University High School

University High School is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of Newark Public School District. University High School serves approximately 447 students, and covers grades 8th-12th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #251 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for University High School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.8 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.5
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+13.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency73.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+27.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation9.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,680
Chronic Absenteeism2.7%

University High School — Students at University High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 55.3% (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
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
74%
ELA
84%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2019
Math
6%
ELA
28%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
12.1%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
23.4%
ELA
73.5%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How University High School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.3/10
90th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3.2
Sports
9
4 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
2.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
9.4% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
4 boys'·5 girls'·13 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

55 CLINTON PL, Newark, NJ 07108

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark (rated 4.7/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Weequahic High School (rated 2.9/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hawthorne Avenue School Newark 0.2 mi 6.4
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Irvington 0.5 mi 4.7
George Washington Carver Elementary School Newark 0.6 mi 4.3
Bruce Street School Newark 0.7 mi 7.4
Avon Avenue School Newark 0.6 mi 6.8
Peshine Avenue School Newark 0.7 mi 6.0
Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.4
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 0.8 mi 5.7
TEAM Academy Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 6.0
South 17th Street School Newark 0.9 mi 7.1
Berkeley Terrace Elementary School Irvington 0.8 mi 5.9
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.0 mi 4.7
Weequahic High School Newark 1.0 mi 2.9
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.0 mi 6.4
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 1.0 mi 6.4
Grove Street Elementary School Irvington 1.1 mi 5.7
University Elementary School Irvington 1.1 mi 5.3
University Middle School Irvington 1.1 mi 5.0
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 1.1 mi 5.1
Burch Charter School of Excellence Irvington 1.0 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07108 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,960

Median Home Value

$326,900

Median Rent

$1,098/mo

Population

28,317

College Educated

17%

Homeownership

17.3%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

36%

Median Age

32.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
High Technology High School Lincroft, NJ 8.4
Cedar Grove High School Cedar Grove, NJ 8.2
Infinity Institute Jersey City, NJ 8.1
Midland Park Jr./Sr. High School Midland Park, NJ 8.1
Monmouth County Academy of Allied Health and Science Neptune, NJ 8.6
Bard Early College High School Newark, NJ 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University High School

What grades does University High School serve?

University High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend University High School?

University High School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at University High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does University High School rank in NJ?

University High School ranks #251 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 University High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, University High School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is University High School a charter school?

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

Is University High School a Title I school?

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

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

83.4% of students at University 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
83.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
2.7%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Newark Public School District
District Enrollment
42,791
Schools in District
64
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,680
District Rank
#5 of 63

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