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Needs Improvement

#2403 of 2,466 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

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,403 of 2,466

In Newark

#78 of 80

public schools

In district

#62 of 63

Newark Public School District

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West Side High School

3.4/10

High School in Newark · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John F. Kennedy School

5.6/10

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

Michelle Obama Elementary School

9.8/10

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

About West Side High School

West Side High School is a public high school in Newark, NJ, part of Newark Public School District. West Side High School serves approximately 621 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. West Side High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,403 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for West Side High School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.5
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency6.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-51.5 pts
Overall Proficiency5% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate74%
AP Participation6.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,680
Chronic Absenteeism29.1%

West Side High School — Students at West Side High School score 5% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 14.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 32.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
54.1% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 26 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
37%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
28%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
3.7%
ELA
13.3%
2025
Math
2.9%
ELA
6.7%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How West Side High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3.2
Sports
9
5 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
6.8% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
5 boys'·4 girls'·15 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

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. Bard Early College High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 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, Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology (rated 7.4/10, 0.8 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 5.6
Michelle Obama Elementary School Newark 0.3 mi 9.8
Thirteenth Avenue School Newark 0.3 mi 5.8
Harriet Tubman Elementary School Newark 0.5 mi 6.4
Camden Street Elementary School Newark 0.6 mi 6.3
Fourteenth Avenue School Newark 0.5 mi 4.1
LEAD Charter School Newark 0.6 mi 3.0
South 17th Street School Newark 0.7 mi 7.1
Bard Early College High School Newark 0.7 mi 8.0
Dionne Warwick Institute East Orange 0.8 mi 7.1
Grove Street Elementary School Irvington 0.7 mi 5.7
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology Newark 0.8 mi 7.4
Speedway Avenue School Newark 0.7 mi 7.4
Grover Cleveland Elementary School Newark 0.8 mi 5.1
Sir Isaac Newton Elementary School Newark 0.8 mi 8.7
New Horizons Community Charter School Newark 0.8 mi 6.2
Roseville Community Charter School Newark 1.0 mi 4.1
ST VINCENT ACADEMY Newark 0.8 mi 8.0
Newark Vocational High School Newark 0.9 mi 4.5
Central High School Newark 1.0 mi 4.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
K. Johnson D. Vaughan and M. Jackson STEM Academy Elizabeth, NJ 3.4
Overbrook Senior High School Pine Hill, NJ 3.3
Passaic County-Manchester Regional High School Haledon, NJ 3.2
Riverside High School Riverside, NJ 3.6
Penns Grove High School Carneys Point, NJ 3.7
Camden High School Camden, NJ 3.0

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 ranks #2,403 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is West Side High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Side High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 West Side High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Side High School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
63 Good Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.1%
4-Year Graduation
74.0%

District

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

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