Rafael Hernandez School

Summary:

Rafael Hernandez School is an elementary school in Newark, New Jersey, serving 553 students in grades PK-8. The school is part of the Newark Public School District, which is ranked 559 out of 615 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Rafael Hernandez School consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in New Jersey, with student proficiency rates significantly below state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2022-2023, only 7.5% of 3rd graders and 37.5% of 8th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to state averages of 42% to 55.3%. In mathematics, the proficiency rates ranged from just 2.4% (5th grade) to 12.3% (8th grade), far below the state averages of 45.9% to 17.8%. The school also struggles with high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 11.8% to 68.7% over the past several years.

While the nearby Newark public schools, such as Franklin Elementary School and Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School, also perform poorly on state assessments, some schools in the Kearny School District, like Washington Elementary School and Garfield Elementary School, as well as the Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School, outperform Rafael Hernandez School on state assessments.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 345 Broadway
       Newark, NJ  07104


(973) 481-5004

District: Newark Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1282nd of 1,342 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,503 Help


Students who attend Rafael Hernandez School usually attend:

High:    Barringer High School
    Central High School
    East Side High School
    Malcolm X Shabazz High School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  11.5 Help
Number of students:  553

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
69.3%
African American:
25.9%
White:
3.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  79.6% Help


 See top rated New Jersey elementary schools

 Compare Rafael Hernandez School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Rafael Hernandez School ranks worse than 95.5% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks 30th among 38 ranked elementary schools in the Newark Public School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.55. (See more...)
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Compare Details Rafael Hernandez School ranks worse than 82.4% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.3. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a 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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (69.3%), African American (25.9%), White (3.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 79.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Rafael Hernandez School is 11.5, which is the 8th best among 38 elementary schools in the Newark Public School District. (See more...)
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Compare Rafael Hernandez School employs 48 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Rafael Hernandez School is $8,503. 33 elementary schools in the Newark Public School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Rafael Hernandez School:

SchoolDigger ranks Rafael Hernandez School 1282nd of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See Rafael Hernandez School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:

SchoolDigger ranks Rafael Hernandez School 616th of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Rafael Hernandez School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:


Newark Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Newark Public School District 559th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Rafael Hernandez School?

Rank History for Rafael Hernandez School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 3.57 1134th 1204 5.8%
2004 5.84 1214th 1298 6.5%
2005 3.41 1252nd 1303 3.9%
2006 6.36 1220th 1314 7.2%
2007 1.64 1302nd 1329 2.0%
2008 26.26 1110th 1338 17.0%
2009 4.67 1283rd 1346 4.7%
2010 28.80 1080th 1354 20.2%
2011 41.15 944th 1360 30.6%
2012 7.82 1266th 1363 7.1%
2013 2.95 1327th 1367 2.9%
2014 6.12 1282nd 1363 5.9%
2015 4.97 1314th 1357 3.2%
2016 3.77 1319th 1346 2.0%
2017 3.85 1317th 1352 2.6%
2018 5.45 1305th 1353 3.5%
2019 5.80 1297th 1360 4.6%
2021 5.21 1303rd 1317 1.1%
2022 7.09 1304th 1345 3.0%
2023 7.55 1282nd 1342 4.5%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school English Language Learner students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.59 305th 434 29.7%
2019 32.87 301st 463 35.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.32 912th 1001 8.9%
2019 13.23 934th 1007 7.2%
2022 17.48 815th 949 14.1%
2023 20.44 758th 958 20.9%
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 Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.92 886th 942 5.9%
2019 18.03 768th 948 19.0%
2021 12.98 749th 839 10.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 4.58 1279th 1333 4.1%
2019 6.19 1260th 1331 5.3%
2021 5.95 1281st 1290 0.7%
2022 7.88 1243rd 1326 6.3%
2023 10.44 1197th 1318 9.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.96 1235th 1334 7.4%
2019 7.46 1243rd 1335 6.9%
2021 6.00 1260th 1297 2.9%
2022 7.59 1265th 1324 4.5%
2023 7.38 1244th 1315 5.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.95 435th 517 15.9%
2019 12.82 499th 522 4.4%
2021 13.55 452nd 456 0.9%
2022 20.52 427th 494 13.6%
2023 25.79 376th 463 18.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.85 754th 870 13.3%
2019 14.84 765th 899 14.9%
2021 10.19 893rd 896 0.3%
2022 12.25 867th 953 9.0%
2023 12.93 889th 982 9.5%
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 Rafael Hernandez School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 1.55 559th 574 2.6%
2004 3.19 551st 588 6.3%
2005 1.74 577th 599 3.7%
2006 2.36 587th 615 4.6%
2007 3.01 605th 631 4.1%
2008 6.23 590th 640 7.8%
2009 2.64 642nd 664 3.3%
2010 21.59 560th 677 17.3%
2011 22.86 558th 684 18.4%
2012 8.12 617th 677 8.9%
2013 4.96 658th 704 6.5%
2014 4.51 668th 717 6.8%
2015 9.23 666th 713 6.6%
2016 8.03 670th 713 6.0%
2017 13.82 615th 712 13.6%
2018 6.97 682nd 716 4.7%
2019 7.95 693rd 745 7.0%
2021 8.23 635th 652 2.6%
2022 13.10 668th 745 10.3%
2023 18.30 616th 748 17.6%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.93 148th 202 26.7%
2019 32.83 144th 227 36.6%
2022 44.70 126th 270 53.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.06 452nd 471 4.0%
2019 18.22 447th 492 9.1%
2022 17.45 522nd 535 2.4%
2023 19.76 463rd 505 8.3%
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 Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 18.24 447th 541 17.4%
2022 25.47 420th 549 23.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.37 646th 680 5.0%
2019 7.81 660th 703 6.1%
2021 11.45 581st 625 7.0%
2022 14.75 645th 726 11.2%
2023 20.65 572nd 720 20.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.34 646th 675 4.3%
2019 10.14 642nd 697 7.9%
2021 8.99 610th 635 3.9%
2022 12.62 667th 730 8.6%
2023 17.63 600th 718 16.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.89 303rd 326 7.1%
2019 17.09 302nd 326 7.4%
2021 15.82 280th 291 3.8%
2022 25.20 294th 356 17.4%
2023 23.70 310th 361 14.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school Hispanic students at Rafael Hernandez School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.00 474th 504 6.0%
2019 13.53 477th 524 9.0%
2021 16.39 453rd 480 5.6%
2022 17.61 529th 591 10.5%
2023 31.99 402nd 587 31.5%
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

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.

Rafael Hernandez School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Open Quote I use to be a student there, I was the first group to graduate in 1995 and it was the best experience ever. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Rafael Hernandez School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 0 240 4 482 0 n/a n/a 0 726
1996 0 240 4 482 0 n/a n/a 0 726
1998 6 211 0 502 0 n/a n/a 0 719
1999 3 238 1 525 2 n/a n/a 0 769
2000 4 255 4 563 2 n/a n/a 0 828
2001 3 271 5 568 1 n/a n/a 0 848
2002 7 236 0 537 0 n/a n/a 0 780
2003 7 236 0 537 0 n/a n/a 0 780
2004 8 245 1 535 0 n/a n/a 0 789
2005 15 229 2 491 0 n/a n/a 0 737
2006 14 230 1 531 0 n/a n/a 0 776
2007 12 203 2 536 1 n/a n/a 0 754
2008 10 200 1 528 0 n/a n/a 0 739
2009 4 188 1 504 0 0 0 0 697
2010 4 193 0 496 1 0 0 0 694
2011 6 154 0 438 1 0 0 0 599
2012 4 164 0 427 2 1 0 0 598
2013 5 158 1 434 1 1 0 0 600
2014 7 161 1 417 1 1 0 0 588
2015 4 146 0 484 0 0 0 0 634
2016 12 148 2 552 0 0 0 0 714
2017 13 170 0 568 0 0 0 0 751
2018 11 196 2 577 0 0 2 0 788
2019 10 209 3 540 0 0 0 0 762
2020 13 202 2 554 0 1 0 0 772
2021 15 163 2 523 1 0 0 0 704
2022 14 157 5 426 1 0 0 0 603
2023 20 143 4 383 2 1 0 0 553

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 Rafael Hernandez School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 726 36.5 19.9 87.6
1996 726 36.5 19.9 87.6
1998 719 46.0 15.6 87.2
1999 769 49.0 15.7 86.2
2000 828 49.5 16.7 95.2
2001 848 50.2 16.9 96.5
2002 780 58.0 13.4 80.6
2003 780 58.0 13.4 80.6
2004 789 58.0 13.6 69.7
2005 737 56.0 13.2 n/a
2006 776 56.0 13.9 38.8
2007 754 48.0 15.7 87.1
2008 739 46.0 16.1 90.3
2009 697 47.3 14.8 93.5
2010 694 40.0 17.3 95.1
2011 599 40.0 14.9 91.7
2012 598 46.5 12.8 89.1
2013 600 50.0 12.0 95.5
2014 588 47.0 12.5 90
2015 634 42.0 15.0 88.2
2016 714 46.0 15.5 89.9
2017 751 45.0 16.6 87.4
2018 788 53.5 14.7 95.4
2019 762 51.5 14.7 82
2020 772 53.0 14.5 88.2
2021 704 53.0 13.2 83.9
2022 603 50.0 12.0 85.6
2023 553 48.0 11.5 79.6

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 Rafael Hernandez School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 726 36.5 19.9 87.6
1996 726 36.5 19.9 87.6
1998 719 46.0 15.6 87.2
1999 769 49.0 15.7 86.2
2000 828 49.5 16.7 95.2
2001 848 50.2 16.9 96.5
2002 780 58.0 13.4 80.6
2003 780 58.0 13.4 80.6
2004 789 58.0 13.6 69.7
2005 737 56.0 13.2 n/a
2006 776 56.0 13.9 38.8
2007 754 48.0 15.7 87.1
2008 739 46.0 16.1 90.3
2009 697 47.3 14.8 93.5
2010 694 40.0 17.3 95.1
2011 599 40.0 14.9 91.7
2012 598 46.5 12.8 89.1
2013 600 50.0 12.0 95.5
2014 588 47.0 12.5 90
2015 634 42.0 15.0 88.2
2016 714 46.0 15.5 89.9
2017 751 45.0 16.6 87.4
2018 788 53.5 14.7 95.4
2019 762 51.5 14.7 82
2020 772 53.0 14.5 88.2
2021 704 53.0 13.2 83.9
2022 603 50.0 12.0 85.6
2023 553 48.0 11.5 79.6

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 Rafael Hernandez School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $721 (8.5%) $7,782 (91.5%) $8,503

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Rafael Hernandez School

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 1297th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 1282nd of 1342 Elementary schools
 0.2%
Ranks 693rd of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 616th of 748 Middle schools
 10.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)12.87.5
 5.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)28.519.1
 9.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)19.15.9
 13.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)35.419.8
 15.6%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)16.110
 6.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)32.922.3
 10.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)14.39.1
 5.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)3217.3
 14.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)21.121.1
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)32.325.3
 7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)14.22.4
 11.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)23.913.1
 10.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.840.1
 6.7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)21.220
 1.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)35.426.9
 8.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)9.44.3
 5.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)21.113.2
 7.9%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)36.427.5
 8.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)43.936.8
 7.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)8.98.8
 0.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)25.416.2
 9.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Rafael Hernandez School)14.437.5
 23.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Newark Public School District)43.537.2
 6.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Rafael Hernandez School)5.312.3
 7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Newark Public School District)25.510.9
 14.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students762553
 27.4%
African American209143
 31.6%
American Indian02
Asian34
 33.3%
Hispanic540383
 29.1%
Pacific Islander01
White1020
 100%
Two or More Races00
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients82%79.6%
 2.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Rafael Hernandez School

Rafael Hernandez School ranks in the bottom 4.5% of New Jersey elementary schools.

Students at Rafael Hernandez School are 69% Hispanic, 26% African American, 4% White.

In the 2022-23 school year, 553 students attended Rafael Hernandez School.


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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.





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