LEAD Charter School

LEAD Charter School is the sole public charter high school serving grades 9-12 in Newark, New Jersey, with a total enrollment of 196 students. The school is part of the LEAD Charter School District, which is ranked 611 out of 613 districts in New Jersey and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite a relatively high 91.1% four-year graduation rate, LEAD Charter School has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of New Jersey high schools, with rankings between 376 and 414 out of 422 to 426 high schools in the state over the past few years. The school's test scores are significantly lower than the state averages, with proficiency rates ranging from 0% to 20.9% compared to state averages of 28.1% to 52.1%. Additionally, the school has a high 16.6% chronic absenteeism rate and a student-teacher ratio of 39.2, which is significantly higher than the state average.

These findings suggest that LEAD Charter School is struggling to provide a high-quality education to its predominantly low-income student population, with over 68% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Addressing these challenges will likely require a comprehensive approach, including targeted interventions, additional resources, and a focus on improving teaching and learning outcomes.