Best Public Schools in Trenton, NJ

The city of Trenton, New Jersey is home to 34 schools, including 16 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The data reveals a complex educational landscape, with both high-performing and low-performing schools serving the Trenton community.

A few standout schools in Trenton include Mercer County Technical School Health Sciences Academy, which ranks 70th out of 422 New Jersey high schools and has a 4-star rating. This school boasts strong academic performance, with 84.2% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and 48.4% proficient or better in Science, as well as a 100% four-year graduation rate and 0% dropout rate. Another high-performing school is Foundation Academy Charter School, which has a 95.7% four-year graduation rate, 0% dropout rate, and students who outperform the state average on English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments. In contrast, Daylight/Twilight High School has a concerning 16.9% four-year graduation rate and 26% dropout rate.

Overall, the Trenton Public School District as a whole is struggling, with a district rank of 612 out of 615 in New Jersey and a 0-star rating. However, the charter schools in Trenton, such as Foundation Academy Charter School and Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities, are outperforming the traditional public schools, suggesting that the charter school model may be more effective in this area. Addressing the systemic challenges facing the Trenton Public School District will require a multifaceted approach that considers the unique needs and strengths of each school community.