Whitney E. Houston Academy

Summary:

Whitney E. Houston Academy is an elementary school serving grades PK-8 in East Orange, New Jersey, with a student population of 324. The school is part of the East Orange School District, which is ranked 525 out of 615 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Whitney E. Houston Academy consistently ranks in the bottom 25% of New Jersey elementary schools, with a statewide ranking between 1,011 and 1,166 out of 1,342 schools in the past 5 years. Its performance on state assessments is significantly below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 14.3% to 22.9% over the past 5 years, which is well above the state and district averages. Additionally, a large majority (58.02%) of the students come from low-income families and qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is higher than the surrounding schools.

While the nearby schools, such as Edward T. Bowser Senior School of Excellence, J. Garfield Jackson Senior Academy, and Johnnie L. Cochran Junior Academy, also struggle academically and have high rates of poverty, Whitney E. Houston Academy appears to be the lowest-performing among them. This suggests a need for targeted interventions and support to address the root causes of the school's challenges and improve student outcomes.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 215 Dodd St
       East Orange, NJ  07017-2106


(973) 266-5880

District: East Orange School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1011th of 1,342 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,694 Help


Students who attend Whitney E. Houston Academy usually attend:

Middle:    John L. Costley Middle School
    Patrick F. Healy Middle School
    Sojourner Truth Middle School
High:    East Orange Campus High School
    East Orange STEM Academy High School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.8 Help
Number of students:  324

Racial breakdown:

African American:
83.3%
Hispanic:
14.8%
Two or more races:
0.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  58% Help


 See top rated New Jersey elementary schools

 Compare Whitney E. Houston Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Whitney E. Houston Academy ranks worse than 75.3% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks 5th among 11 ranked elementary schools in the East Orange School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.96. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details Whitney E. Houston Academy ranks worse than 81.6% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.99. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (83.3%), Hispanic (14.8%), two or more races (0.9%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 58% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Whitney E. Houston Academy is 10.8, which is the 2nd best among 11 elementary schools in the East Orange School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Whitney E. Houston Academy employs 30 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Whitney E. Houston Academy is $15,694, which is the highest among 14 elementary schools in the East Orange School District!
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Whitney E. Houston Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Whitney E. Houston Academy 1011th of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See Whitney E. Houston Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Whitney E. Houston Academy 610th of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Whitney E. Houston Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


East Orange School District:

SchoolDigger ranks East Orange School District 525th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Whitney E. Houston Academy?

Rank History for Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help
Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 18.67 991st 1204 17.7%
2004 30.24 1029th 1298 20.7%
2005 19.71 1120th 1303 14.0%
2006 22.90 1114th 1314 15.2%
2007 34.17 1046th 1329 21.3%
2008 29.10 1079th 1338 19.4%
2009 39.18 964th 1346 28.4%
2010 26.07 1107th 1354 18.2%
2011 38.49 979th 1360 28.0%
2012 45.83 877th 1363 35.7%
2013 32.73 1028th 1367 24.8%
2014 22.11 1127th 1363 17.3%
2015 21.13 1097th 1357 19.2%
2016 12.74 1191st 1346 11.5%
2017 18.67 1118th 1352 17.3%
2018 18.77 1131st 1353 16.4%
2019 26.67 1029th 1360 24.3%
2021 12.34 1166th 1317 11.5%
2022 19.40 1083rd 1345 19.5%
2023 24.96 1011th 1342 24.7%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.35 683rd 1001 31.8%
2019 30.36 651st 1007 35.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.99 579th 942 38.5%
2019 47.98 445th 948 53.1%
2021 20.75 704th 839 16.1%
2022 23.00 680th 863 21.2%
2023 45.53 452nd 910 50.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 24.65 1044th 1333 21.7%
2019 33.09 929th 1331 30.2%
2021 8.47 1238th 1290 4.0%
2022 22.99 1013th 1326 23.6%
2023 20.12 1042nd 1318 20.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.76 1136th 1334 14.8%
2019 23.09 1046th 1335 21.6%
2021 19.66 1012th 1297 22.0%
2022 20.37 1033rd 1324 22.0%
2023 23.50 1000th 1315 24.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.23 218th 517 57.8%
2019 56.77 202nd 522 61.3%
2021 38.04 281st 456 38.4%
2022 43.83 272nd 494 44.9%
2023 57.77 172nd 463 62.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 43.26 519th 982 47.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help
Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 24.56 457th 574 20.4%
2004 30.88 450th 588 23.5%
2005 35.77 440th 599 26.5%
2006 24.04 491st 615 20.2%
2007 27.66 503rd 631 20.3%
2008 28.20 500th 640 21.9%
2009 29.24 522nd 664 21.4%
2010 20.49 568th 677 16.1%
2011 18.96 575th 684 15.9%
2012 21.39 561st 677 17.1%
2013 30.09 526th 704 25.3%
2014 43.03 458th 717 36.1%
2015 9.44 663rd 713 7.0%
2016 16.93 603rd 713 15.4%
2017 22.86 554th 712 22.2%
2018 25.19 558th 716 22.1%
2019 23.10 576th 745 22.7%
2021 12.33 582nd 652 10.7%
2022 23.83 568th 745 23.8%
2023 18.99 610th 748 18.4%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.35 355th 471 24.6%
2019 27.40 367th 492 25.4%
2021 19.71 352nd 401 12.2%
2022 34.67 320th 535 40.2%
2023 18.61 479th 505 5.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.80 205th 522 60.7%
2019 44.97 288th 541 46.8%
2021 26.64 352nd 467 24.6%
2022 41.76 289th 549 47.4%
2023 45.10 274th 568 51.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.23 492nd 680 27.6%
2019 25.06 535th 703 23.9%
2021 15.79 540th 625 13.6%
2022 26.04 533rd 726 26.6%
2023 24.03 543rd 720 24.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.27 533rd 675 21.0%
2019 22.12 552nd 697 20.8%
2021 11.83 585th 635 7.9%
2022 22.79 555th 730 24.0%
2023 21.59 552nd 718 23.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.64 122nd 326 62.6%
2019 48.65 152nd 326 53.4%
2021 30.17 211th 291 27.5%
2022 42.58 193rd 356 45.8%
2023 43.74 181st 361 49.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Whitney E. Houston Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 









Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Open Quote My Son attends this school. Great Preforming Arts Section. Also has a great Dance Teacher Named Chrystal Newbey-Reynolds. She encourages them to strive for nothing but the best. Would Recommend this school for Performing Art's Students. Then Move on to the High School that was just built three months ago. Very Large Close Quote



Enrollment information for Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 3 683 0 10 0 n/a n/a 0 696
1989 4 639 0 11 0 n/a n/a 0 654
1990 3 608 4 9 0 n/a n/a 0 624
1991 3 597 1 13 0 n/a n/a 0 614
1992 1 628 1 10 1 n/a n/a 0 641
1993 3 784 0 28 0 n/a n/a 0 815
1994 2 773 0 26 2 n/a n/a 0 803
1995 1 643 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 662
1996 1 643 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 662
1998 1 707 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 713
1999 1 671 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 676
2000 2 622 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 626
2001 0 588 0 25 0 n/a n/a 0 613
2002 0 624 0 12 0 n/a n/a 0 636
2003 0 624 0 12 0 n/a n/a 0 636
2004 0 581 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 584
2005 0 614 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 621
2006 0 583 1 9 0 n/a n/a 0 593
2007 0 584 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 602
2008 0 578 0 18 0 n/a n/a 0 596
2009 0 547 0 15 0 0 0 0 562
2010 0 533 1 13 0 0 0 0 547
2011 0 508 2 7 0 0 0 0 517
2012 1 427 1 7 0 0 0 0 436
2013 0 364 0 12 0 0 0 0 376
2014 0 344 1 17 0 0 0 0 362
2015 0 353 1 19 0 0 0 0 373
2016 1 353 0 19 0 0 0 0 373
2017 0 344 0 23 1 0 0 0 368
2018 1 349 0 15 0 0 0 0 365
2019 1 344 0 24 0 0 0 0 369
2020 0 323 1 33 0 0 2 0 359
2021 0 320 1 35 0 0 2 0 358
2022 0 270 1 51 0 0 0 0 322
2023 2 270 1 48 0 0 3 0 324

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 696 37.0 18.8 n/a
1989 654 38.0 17.2 n/a
1990 624 38.0 16.4 46
1991 614 39.0 15.7 50.2
1992 641 36.0 17.8 57.3
1993 815 45.0 18.1 55.6
1994 803 46.0 17.5 62.3
1995 662 37.0 17.9 47.9
1996 662 37.0 17.9 47.9
1998 713 39.0 18.3 57.4
1999 676 38.0 17.8 44.5
2000 626 42.0 14.9 66.8
2001 613 42.2 14.5 66.1
2002 636 47.0 13.5 55.8
2003 636 47.0 13.5 55.8
2004 584 45.0 13.0 74.5
2005 621 46.0 13.5 n/a
2006 593 49.0 12.1 68.3
2007 602 50.0 12.0 46.7
2008 596 35.0 17.0 71.3
2009 562 48.1 9.4 76.2
2010 547 46.0 11.8 60.5
2011 517 44.0 11.7 69.6
2012 436 44.6 9.7 60.1
2013 376 44.0 8.5 77.7
2014 362 41.0 8.8 75.1
2015 373 41.0 9.0 77.5
2016 373 38.0 9.8 64.3
2017 368 38.0 9.6 55.2
2018 365 34.1 10.6 64.7
2019 369 33.2 11.0 62.3
2020 359 30.0 11.9 86.4
2021 358 30.0 11.9 71.5
2022 322 28.0 11.5 68
2023 324 30.0 10.8 58

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 696 37.0 18.8 n/a
1989 654 38.0 17.2 n/a
1990 624 38.0 16.4 46
1991 614 39.0 15.7 50.2
1992 641 36.0 17.8 57.3
1993 815 45.0 18.1 55.6
1994 803 46.0 17.5 62.3
1995 662 37.0 17.9 47.9
1996 662 37.0 17.9 47.9
1998 713 39.0 18.3 57.4
1999 676 38.0 17.8 44.5
2000 626 42.0 14.9 66.8
2001 613 42.2 14.5 66.1
2002 636 47.0 13.5 55.8
2003 636 47.0 13.5 55.8
2004 584 45.0 13.0 74.5
2005 621 46.0 13.5 n/a
2006 593 49.0 12.1 68.3
2007 602 50.0 12.0 46.7
2008 596 35.0 17.0 71.3
2009 562 48.1 9.4 76.2
2010 547 46.0 11.8 60.5
2011 517 44.0 11.7 69.6
2012 436 44.6 9.7 60.1
2013 376 44.0 8.5 77.7
2014 362 41.0 8.8 75.1
2015 373 41.0 9.0 77.5
2016 373 38.0 9.8 64.3
2017 368 38.0 9.6 55.2
2018 365 34.1 10.6 64.7
2019 369 33.2 11.0 62.3
2020 359 30.0 11.9 86.4
2021 358 30.0 11.9 71.5
2022 322 28.0 11.5 68
2023 324 30.0 10.8 58

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Whitney E. Houston Academy

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $451 (2.9%) $15,243 (97.1%) $15,694

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Whitney E. Houston Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1029th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 1011th of 1342 Elementary schools
 0.3%
Ranks 576th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 610th of 748 Middle schools
 4.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)27.240
 12.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)37.729.6
 8.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)51.544
 7.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)33.323.7
 9.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)45.925.8
 20.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)42.735.9
 6.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)8.316.1
 7.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)20.718.8
 1.9%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)53.425.9
 27.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)46.435.1
 11.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)2011.1
 8.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)18.814.3
 4.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.840.1
 6.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)53.143.2
 9.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)41.728.7
 13%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)15.211.4
 3.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)11.56.8
 4.7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)50.931.4
 19.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)44.934.1
 10.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)13.29.8
 3.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)15.36.9
 8.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Whitney E. Houston Academy)43.743.4
 0.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (East Orange School District)41.640.6
 1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Whitney E. Houston Academy)00
   8th Grade Mathematics (East Orange School District)123.3
 8.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.315.4
 13.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students369324
 12.2%
African American344270
 21.5%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic2448
 100%
Pacific Islander00
White12
 100%
Two or More Races03
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.3%58%
 4.3%


Schools Near Whitney E. Houston Academy









Frequently Asked Questions about Whitney E. Houston Academy

Students at Whitney E. Houston Academy are 83% African American, 15% Hispanic.

Whitney E. Houston Academy ranks in the bottom 24.7% of New Jersey elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 324 students attended Whitney E. Houston Academy.


Rate Whitney E. Houston Academy!



Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Whitney E. Houston Academy!




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 58 milliseconds.