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Below Average

#2225 of 2,466 schools in NJ

William L Dickinson High School

High School · Jersey City Public Schools

2 PALISADE AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07306

Enrollment

1,856

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,225 of 2,466

In Jersey City

#44 of 52

public schools

In district

#31 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

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William L Dickinson High School

4.3/10

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

St Joseph Elementary School

6.3/10

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

Dr. Michael Conti School

8.7/10

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

About William L Dickinson High School

William L Dickinson High School is a public high school in Jersey City, NJ, part of Jersey City Public Schools. William L Dickinson High School serves approximately 1,856 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. William L Dickinson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,225 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for William L Dickinson High School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.6
  • NJ avg 5.8

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.5Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-36 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.6 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate73%
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,525
Chronic Absenteeism17.3%

William L Dickinson High School — Students at William L Dickinson High School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (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
52%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
80%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
36%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
31%
2017
Math
11%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
4.2%
ELA
24.6%
2025
Math
5.5%
ELA
22.6%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How William L Dickinson High School Compares

See how William L Dickinson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
10th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 3.2
Sports
24
11 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
9.5% participation·State avg: 3.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics24sports offered
11 boys'·13 girls'·36 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

2 PALISADE AVE, Jersey City, NJ 07306

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William L Dickinson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. County Prep High School (rated 9.1/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr Ronald McNair High School (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Academy of Technology Design (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jersey City 0.2 mi 6.3
Dr. Michael Conti School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.7
Jotham W. Wakeman School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.6
Dr Ronald McNair High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.3
James J Ferris High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 3.4
Academy of Technology Design Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.7
Patricia M. Noonan School PS #26 Jersey City 0.7 mi 4.2
County Prep High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 9.1
Rafael Cordero y Molina Jersey City 0.5 mi 7.7
VIAQUENTI ACADEMY Jersey City 0.6 mi
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.8
ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL Jersey City 0.6 mi 6.4
Martin Luther King Jr. School Jersey City 0.6 mi 5.8
Jersey City Golden Door Charter School Jersey City 0.7 mi 5.5
Franklin L. Williams School Jersey City 0.8 mi 5.7
ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL Jersey City 0.9 mi 6.8
THE FRENCH AMERICAN ACADEMY Jersey City 0.7 mi 6.5
BelovED Community Charter School Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.0
PRIMARY PREP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.2
Middle School # 4 Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07306 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,861

Median Home Value

$502,600

Median Rent

$1,619/mo

Population

54,567

College Educated

50.1%

Homeownership

23.6%

Avg Commute

37.1 min

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

35.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Kingsway Regional High School Woolwich Twp, NJ 4.3
North Brunswick Township High School North Brunswick, NJ 4.3
Belleville High School Belleville, NJ 4.2
Toms River High School North Toms River, NJ 4.2
Woodbridge High School Woodbridge, NJ 4.2
Atlantic City High School Atlantic City, NJ 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William L Dickinson High School

What grades does William L Dickinson High School serve?

William L Dickinson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend William L Dickinson High School?

William L Dickinson High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,856 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William L Dickinson High School?

The student-teacher ratio at William L Dickinson 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 William L Dickinson High School rank in NJ?

William L Dickinson High School ranks #2,225 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is William L Dickinson High School's MySchoolScout rating?

William L Dickinson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 William L Dickinson High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, William L Dickinson High School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is William L Dickinson High School a charter school?

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

Is William L Dickinson High School a Title I school?

No, William L Dickinson High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William L Dickinson High School?

66.6% of students at William L Dickinson 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
93 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
81 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,856
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
129
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.3%
4-Year Graduation
73.0%

District

Jersey City Public Schools
District Enrollment
26,293
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,525
District Rank
#31 of 39

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