Below Average
#2200 of 2,463 schools in NJ
West Side High School
High School · Newark Public School District
403 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newark
#14 of 19
public schools
New Jersey high schools
#376 of 422
In district
#48 of 63
Newark Public School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About West Side High School
West Side High School is a regular public high school located in Newark, New Jersey. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 621 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, with 43 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s setting is in a large city environment, providing a diverse range of experiences for its students.
West Side High School focuses on student development through a variety of programs and support systems, although its current academic performance shows room for improvement. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranking at #2325 in the state among 2475 schools, it is clear that the school is working to enhance student achievement. In terms of standardized test scores, only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 3% reach proficiency in math.
Despite these challenges, West Side High School continues to strive for progress and improvement within its community. The school’s setting in a bustling urban area offers unique opportunities and resources that can support student growth and development.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at West Side 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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West Side High School — Students at West Side High School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.4/10.
How West Side High School Compares
See how West Side High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 4% (2019) to 2.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 12% (2022).
Location
403 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Side High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST VINCENT ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bard Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newark, see our Newark schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy School Newark | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark | 0.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Thirteenth Avenue School Newark | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Camden Street Elementary School Newark | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Fourteenth Avenue School Newark | 0.5 mi | 6.9 |
| LEAD Charter School Newark | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| South 17th Street School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Bard Early College High School Newark | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Grove Street Elementary School Irvington | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Speedway Avenue School Newark | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| New Horizons Community Charter School Newark | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Roseville Community Charter School Newark | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Newark Vocational High School Newark | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Central High School Newark | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,397
Median Home Value
$259,300
Median Rent
$1,289/mo
Population
36,733
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
23.4%
Avg Commute
31.6 min
Poverty Rate
31.6%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Side High School has a median household income of $42,397. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $259,300, with a median rent of $1,289/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Riverside High School Riverside, NJ | 4.3 |
| DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Toms River, NJ | 4.2 |
| Palisades Park Jr-Sr High School Palisades Park, NJ | 4.2 |
| Wood-Ridge Jr/Sr High School Wood-Ridge, NJ | 4.2 |
| Middlesex High School Middlesex, NJ | 4.4 |
| Arthur P. Schalick High School Pittsgrove, NJ | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Side High School
What grades does West Side High School serve?
West Side High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Side High School?
West Side High School has an enrollment of approximately 621 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Side High School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Side High School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Side High School rank in NJ?
West Side High School is ranked #2200 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is West Side High School's MySchoolScout rating?
West Side High School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 West Side High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Side High School has 3.3% math proficiency and 16.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Side High School a charter school?
No, West Side High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Side High School a Title I school?
No, West Side High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Side High School?
77.8% of students at West Side 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,542/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newark). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 621
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (973) 733-7019
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Newark Public School District- District Enrollment
- 42,791
- Schools in District
- 64
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,680
- District Rank
- #48 of 63
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 methodologyRelated reading
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