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Below Average

#2267 of 2,463 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

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jersey City

#40 of 44

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#389 of 422

In district

#36 of 39

Jersey City Public Schools

About William L Dickinson High School

William L Dickinson High School serves 1,856 students in grades 9-12 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Located on Palisade Avenue in Hudson County, this large public high school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 129 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth across core subjects.

Math proficiency stands at 5% while ELA/Reading proficiency reaches 23% among students. With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 4th percentile statewide, the school community is working to strengthen educational outcomes for its diverse student body. Despite academic challenges, the school operates within a mixed-income neighborhood where the median household income is $74,610 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding ZIP code 07306 has a population of 54,779, with median home values around $477,600, though 17.3% of families face economic hardships. William L Dickinson High School sits in the heart of Jersey City, one of New Jersey's largest urban centers, providing students with access to the cultural and economic opportunities that come with big-city living while serving families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-1.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Math vs. State Avg-36.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness3.6Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,925

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: 25%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 7.6%
School
State
41.5%
ELA Proficiency 29.2%
School
State
58.2%

Based on 8 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
10%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
35%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
4.2%
ELA
24.6%

* 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: 4.7/10.

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
4.1/10
8th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
129 teachers

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. Dr Ronald McNair High School (rated 8.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is County Prep High School (rated 8.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James J Ferris High School (rated 5.0/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 5.9
Jotham W. Wakeman School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.5
Dr Ronald McNair High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.3
James J Ferris High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 5.0
Academy of Technology Design Jersey City 0.6 mi 4.1
Patricia M. Noonan School PS #26 Jersey City 0.7 mi 4.5
County Prep High School Jersey City 0.6 mi 8.0
Rafael Cordero y Molina Jersey City 0.5 mi 7.2
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 4.4
Jersey City Golden Door Charter School Jersey City 0.7 mi 6.9
Franklin L. Williams School Jersey City 0.8 mi 6.5
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 5.1
PRIMARY PREP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jersey City 0.7 mi 7.2
Middle School # 4 Jersey City 0.9 mi 7.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding William L Dickinson High School has a median household income of $75,861. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $502,600, with a median rent of $1,619/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Dover High School Dover, NJ 4.1
Jackson Memorial High School Jackson, NJ 4.1
Millville High School Millville, NJ 4.1
Triton Regional High School Runnemede, NJ 4.1
Brick Township High School Brick Town, NJ 4.0
Irvington High School Irvington, NJ 4.0

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 is ranked #2267 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

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

William L Dickinson High School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 William L Dickinson High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William L Dickinson High School has 7.6% math proficiency and 29.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,593/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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