Paterson Public School District

The Paterson Public School District in New Jersey operates 41 schools, including 29 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 9 high schools, serving a diverse student population. The district faces significant challenges, with overall low academic performance and high rates of economic disadvantage, but the data also reveals pockets of excellence that provide hope for improvement.

A few standout schools in the district include School 28, which ranks 1st out of 1,338 New Jersey elementary schools, and Norman S. Weir and School 1, which also perform well above the district and state averages. These high-performing schools demonstrate that with the right strategies and support, students in Paterson can achieve at exceptional levels.

However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, with low proficiency rates on state assessments, high chronic absenteeism, and a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance. The district's per-student spending varies widely, with the higher-spending schools generally performing better, suggesting that adequate funding and resources are crucial for student success. Addressing these disparities and replicating the practices of the top-performing schools will be essential for improving educational outcomes across the Paterson Public School District.