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Average

#955 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 39% 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

6.9

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newark

#14 of 61

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#165 of 422

In district

#13 of 63

Newark Public School District

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About University High School

University High School is a public high school located in Newark, New Jersey. Serving students from eighth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 447 students and employs 40 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. The academic performance at University High School is reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 5.7 out of 10, placing it at the 51st percentile among New Jersey schools.

While the school has room for improvement academically—scoring a 3.3/10 on the Academic Score—the student body shows some proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading with 43% meeting or exceeding standards, though performance in math is notably lower at only 8%. University High School is situated in the heart of Newark, offering students opportunities to engage with a vibrant urban community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Math vs. State Avg-34 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected+12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,990

University High School — Students at University High School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.9%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
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
6%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
12.1%
ELA
58.7%

* 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
6.9/10
61th percentile in NJ
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

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 5.9/10, 1.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Weequahic High School (rated 4.1/10, 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 4.5
Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Irvington 0.5 mi 4.2
George Washington Carver Elementary School Newark 0.6 mi 4.7
Bruce Street School Newark 0.7 mi 6.9
Avon Avenue School Newark 0.6 mi 3.7
Peshine Avenue School Newark 0.7 mi 6.4
Belmont Runyon Elementary School Newark 0.7 mi 6.4
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 0.8 mi 7.2
TEAM Academy Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 4.1
South 17th Street School Newark 0.9 mi 7.3
Berkeley Terrace Elementary School Irvington 0.8 mi 5.8
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.0 mi 5.9
Weequahic High School Newark 1.0 mi 4.1
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.0 mi 6.7
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 1.0 mi 5.1
Grove Street Elementary School Irvington 1.1 mi 5.1
University Elementary School Irvington 1.1 mi 6.7
University Middle School Irvington 1.1 mi 5.7
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 1.1 mi 6.9
Burch Charter School of Excellence Irvington 1.0 mi 3.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding University High School has a median household income of $33,960. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $326,900, with a median rent of $1,098/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Asbury Park High School Asbury Park, NJ 6.9
Essex County Newark Tech Newark, NJ 6.9
IMMACULATE HEART ACADEMY Washington Township, NJ 6.9
Cedar Grove High School Cedar Grove, NJ 7.0
Emerson Jr Sr High Emerson, NJ 7.0
Arts High School Newark, NJ 6.8

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 is ranked #955 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is University High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, University High School has 7.9% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,542/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
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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