Best Public Schools in East Orange, NJ

The East Orange, New Jersey school district consists of 22 schools, including 15 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools, serving a predominantly African American and Hispanic student population. While the district as a whole is ranked 525 out of 615 in New Jersey and rated 1 star out of 5 by SchoolDigger, a few standout schools, such as East Orange STEM Academy High School and Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/High School, demonstrate higher academic performance and better student outcomes compared to the rest of the district.

East Orange STEM Academy High School ranks 172 out of 422 New Jersey high schools and is rated 3 out of 5 stars. It has the highest test scores in the district, with 88.1% of 9th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 42.9% of 8th graders proficient or better in Algebra I. The school also boasts a very high 4-year graduation rate of 98.7% and a low dropout rate of 0.3%. In contrast, East Orange Campus High School has a 4-year graduation rate of only 78.2% and a dropout rate of 6.3%, highlighting the stark disparities in academic performance within the district.

Other standout schools include Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/High School, which ranks 255 out of 422 New Jersey high schools and is rated 2 out of 5 stars, and Pride Academy Charter School, a middle school charter that ranks 335 out of 748 New Jersey middle schools and is rated 3 out of 5 stars. These schools demonstrate higher test scores and better student outcomes compared to the district average, suggesting the potential for excellence within the East Orange School District. However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, including high rates of poverty, chronic absenteeism, and the need for more equitable resource allocation to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.