Phillipsburg High School

Summary:

Phillipsburg High School is a public high school serving 1,794 students in grades 9-12 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The school is part of the Phillipsburg School District, which is ranked 517 out of 615 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Phillipsburg High School faces several academic challenges. The school has consistently underperformed compared to the state average on standardized tests, with significantly lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Algebra I, and Science. Additionally, the school has a relatively high dropout rate, ranging from 0.6% to 1.2% over the past five years, and a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 12.1% in 2016-2017 to 23.1% in 2021-2022. When compared to nearby high-performing schools, such as North Hunterdon High School, Hunterdon County Academies, and Voorhees High School, Phillipsburg High School consistently underperforms on academic measures.

Phillipsburg High School also faces challenges related to its student population. The school has a relatively high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 25.7% to 32.95% over the past three years, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families. Additionally, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with achievement gaps observed for certain demographics. Despite these challenges, the school's per-student spending of $12,579 in 2018-2019 is lower than the nearby high-performing schools, which range from $13,041 to $19,558 per student, suggesting a potential need for additional resources to support student learning and achievement.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1 Stateliner Blvd.
       Phillipsburg, NJ  08865


(908) 454-3400

District: Phillipsburg School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
253rd of 422 New Jersey High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,579 Help


Feeder schools for Phillipsburg High School:

Elementary:    Philipsburg Primary School
    Phillipsburg Early Childhood Learning Center
    Phillipsburg Elementary School
Middle:    Phillipsburg Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.1 Help
Number of students:  1,794

Racial breakdown:

White:
52.1%
Hispanic:
21.0%
African American:
19.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  32% Help


 See top rated New Jersey high schools

 Compare Phillipsburg High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Phillipsburg High School ranks worse than 60% of high schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.33. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Phillipsburg High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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 Student population at Phillipsburg High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (52.1%), Hispanic (21%), African American (19.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 32% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Phillipsburg High School is 13.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Phillipsburg High School employs 136.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Phillipsburg High School is $12,579.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Phillipsburg High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Phillipsburg High School 253rd of 422 New Jersey public high schools. (See Phillipsburg High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Phillipsburg School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Phillipsburg School District 517th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Phillipsburg High School?

Rank History for Phillipsburg High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 41.36 241st 343 29.7%
2004 36.66 266th 348 23.6%
2005 52.43 213th 351 39.3%
2006 54.38 218th 357 38.9%
2007 43.60 251st 361 30.5%
2008 60.13 184th 359 48.7%
2009 58.38 208th 370 43.8%
2010 59.94 191st 371 48.5%
2011 54.52 227th 378 39.9%
2012 48.37 257th 388 33.8%
2013 50.03 265th 396 33.1%
2014 48.10 288th 411 29.9%
2015 61.47 83rd 406 79.6%
2016 54.77 130th 409 68.2%
2017 57.63 123rd 411 70.1%
2018 48.13 166th 415 60.0%
2019 48.85 171st 416 58.9%
2021 45.19 179th 405 55.8%
2022 39.15 222nd 415 46.5%
2023 33.33 253rd 422 40.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 34.31 74th 137 46.0%
2023 29.56 121st 161 24.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.67 155th 355 56.3%
2019 49.10 142nd 349 59.3%
2021 42.98 164th 333 50.8%
2022 41.67 157th 344 54.4%
2023 27.89 239th 339 29.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.29 178th 345 48.4%
2019 35.26 220th 347 36.6%
2021 41.46 181st 326 44.5%
2022 29.69 226th 324 30.2%
2023 21.12 296th 344 14.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.31 195th 403 51.6%
2019 42.06 214th 408 47.5%
2021 45.41 181st 402 55.0%
2022 43.98 175th 414 57.7%
2023 41.50 200th 416 51.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.64 186th 405 54.1%
2019 41.50 198th 407 51.4%
2021 45.65 177th 402 56.0%
2022 35.97 210th 410 48.8%
2023 27.33 266th 414 35.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.81 136th 198 31.3%
2019 33.56 137th 191 28.3%
2021 39.42 99th 165 40.0%
2022 40.46 97th 175 44.6%
2023 13.58 146th 172 15.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.37 132nd 266 50.4%
2019 43.43 128th 254 49.6%
2021 49.90 102nd 247 58.7%
2022 49.16 91st 256 64.5%
2023 33.79 157th 250 37.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.54 143rd 368 61.1%
2019 37.17 211th 364 42.0%
2021 52.33 138th 374 63.1%
2022 36.83 213th 382 44.2%
2023 25.03 293rd 385 23.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Phillipsburg High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.35 173rd 340 49.1%
2019 39.44 170th 339 49.9%
2021 38.69 175th 336 47.9%
2022 28.48 230th 335 31.3%
2023 23.71 250th 335 25.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for White 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.

Phillipsburg High School 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: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a student
Sunday, October 14, 2012

Open Quote I go to Phillipsburg High School and I absolutely hate it. There's overcrowded lunchrooms, extremely small lockers, and overcrowded hallways. There are also 30 trailers, some of which are on top of a hill. There is only 5 minutes between each class so getting from a second floor class to an outdoor trailer class on the hill is nearly impossible. The kids are mean and a large population are what would be considered "white trash". Theres also been several instances of students being stolen from. Since there is no air conditioning some of the classrooms reach over 90 degrees yet school is not cancelled. There are some very good teachers but most just don't care. I as well as many other students would highly not recommend going to this school. I cannot wait until I graduate! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Phillipsburg High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1300 27 7 18 0 n/a n/a 0 1352
1989 1232 22 9 22 1 n/a n/a 0 1286
1990 1142 23 8 29 0 n/a n/a 0 1202
1991 1114 25 10 37 0 n/a n/a 0 1186
1992 1093 31 11 28 0 n/a n/a 0 1163
1993 1091 28 13 28 0 n/a n/a 0 1160
1994 1077 33 11 32 2 n/a n/a 0 1155
1995 1182 35 15 48 3 n/a n/a 0 1283
1996 1182 35 15 48 3 n/a n/a 0 1283
1998 1250 39 13 54 8 n/a n/a 0 1364
1999 1187 41 23 61 0 n/a n/a 0 1312
2000 1147 54 25 57 5 n/a n/a 0 1288
2001 1202 67 29 64 2 n/a n/a 0 1364
2002 1270 89 35 81 0 n/a n/a 0 1475
2003 1270 89 35 81 0 n/a n/a 0 1475
2004 1359 98 38 84 0 n/a n/a 0 1579
2005 1379 114 34 95 0 n/a n/a 0 1622
2006 1428 136 40 116 0 n/a n/a 0 1720
2007 1415 148 47 125 0 n/a n/a 0 1735
2008 1306 116 29 104 0 n/a n/a 0 1555
2009 1338 127 56 113 0 0 0 0 1634
2010 1274 129 58 126 0 0 2 0 1589
2011 1267 149 65 149 1 0 7 0 1638
2012 1232 141 69 166 1 0 10 0 1619
2013 1153 165 72 180 1 0 17 0 1588
2014 1175 177 66 187 1 0 22 0 1628
2015 1185 177 62 183 2 0 22 0 1631
2016 1160 198 65 187 2 1 24 0 1637
2017 1192 203 62 205 3 1 30 0 1696
2018 1095 220 62 244 3 1 38 0 1663
2019 1049 221 64 267 4 2 43 0 1650
2020 1040 246 65 293 2 2 38 0 1686
2021 1008 269 69 326 1 3 54 0 1730
2022 1002 320 67 359 1 4 55 1 1809
2023 935 343 71 377 2 3 61 2 1794

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 Phillipsburg High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1352 92.0 14.6 n/a
1989 1286 82.0 15.6 n/a
1990 1202 79.0 15.2 5.2
1991 1186 80.0 14.8 7.2
1992 1163 82.0 14.1 8.3
1993 1160 86.0 13.5 11.6
1994 1155 87.5 13.2 11
1995 1283 96.6 13.3 12.9
1996 1283 96.6 13.3 12.9
1998 1364 100.3 13.6 12.4
1999 1312 103.3 12.7 12.5
2000 1288 99.0 13.0 17.5
2001 1364 100.9 13.5 16.7
2002 1475 102.0 14.5 14.4
2003 1475 102.0 14.5 14.4
2004 1579 110.0 14.4 16.2
2005 1622 128.0 12.7 n/a
2006 1720 136.0 12.6 22
2007 1735 127.0 13.7 17.5
2008 1555 102.0 15.2 n/a
2009 1634 109.8 12.3 22.2
2010 1589 104.0 15.2 22
2011 1638 100.0 16.3 21.7
2012 1619 134.3 12.0 26.4
2013 1588 122.0 13.0 26
2014 1628 121.0 13.4 29.8
2015 1631 117.0 13.9 31.4
2016 1637 123.0 13.3 31.3
2017 1696 120.5 14.0 30.4
2018 1663 124.5 13.3 32.6
2019 1650 126.5 13.0 32
2020 1686 124.3 13.5 32.4
2021 1730 128.5 13.4 32.9
2022 1809 133.5 13.5 25.7
2023 1794 136.5 13.1 32

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 Phillipsburg High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1352 92.0 14.6 n/a
1989 1286 82.0 15.6 n/a
1990 1202 79.0 15.2 5.2
1991 1186 80.0 14.8 7.2
1992 1163 82.0 14.1 8.3
1993 1160 86.0 13.5 11.6
1994 1155 87.5 13.2 11
1995 1283 96.6 13.3 12.9
1996 1283 96.6 13.3 12.9
1998 1364 100.3 13.6 12.4
1999 1312 103.3 12.7 12.5
2000 1288 99.0 13.0 17.5
2001 1364 100.9 13.5 16.7
2002 1475 102.0 14.5 14.4
2003 1475 102.0 14.5 14.4
2004 1579 110.0 14.4 16.2
2005 1622 128.0 12.7 n/a
2006 1720 136.0 12.6 22
2007 1735 127.0 13.7 17.5
2008 1555 102.0 15.2 n/a
2009 1634 109.8 12.3 22.2
2010 1589 104.0 15.2 22
2011 1638 100.0 16.3 21.7
2012 1619 134.3 12.0 26.4
2013 1588 122.0 13.0 26
2014 1628 121.0 13.4 29.8
2015 1631 117.0 13.9 31.4
2016 1637 123.0 13.3 31.3
2017 1696 120.5 14.0 30.4
2018 1663 124.5 13.3 32.6
2019 1650 126.5 13.0 32
2020 1686 124.3 13.5 32.4
2021 1730 128.5 13.4 32.9
2022 1809 133.5 13.5 25.7
2023 1794 136.5 13.1 32

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 Phillipsburg High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $171 (1.4%) $12,408 (98.6%) $12,579

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Phillipsburg High 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 171st of 416 High schoolsRanks 253rd of 422 High schools
 18.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Phillipsburg High School)53.638.3
 15.3%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Phillipsburg School District)53.638.3
 15.3%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)55.952.1
 3.8%
9th Grade Algebra I (Phillipsburg High School)45.828.4
 17.4%
   9th Grade Algebra I (Phillipsburg School District)45.828.4
 17.4%
   9th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)27.219.2
 8%
9th Grade Algebra II (Phillipsburg High School)78.987.6
 8.7%
   9th Grade Algebra II (Phillipsburg School District)78.987.6
 8.7%
   9th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)77.665.8
 11.8%
10th Grade Algebra I (Phillipsburg High School)4.70.9
 3.8%
   10th Grade Algebra I (Phillipsburg School District)4.70.9
 3.8%
   10th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)7.813.2
 5.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Phillipsburg High School)33.120.6
 12.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (Phillipsburg School District)38.525.6
 12.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Algebra II (Phillipsburg High School)65.787.6
 21.9%
   End of Course Algebra II (Phillipsburg School District)65.787.6
 21.9%
   End of Course Algebra II (New Jersey)56.361.7
 5.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students16501794
 8.7%
African American221343
 55.2%
American Indian42
 50%
Asian6471
 10.9%
Hispanic267377
 41.2%
Pacific Islander23
 50%
White1049935
 10.9%
Two or More Races4361
 41.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients32%32%
 0%


Schools Near Phillipsburg High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Phillipsburg High School

Students at Phillipsburg High School are 52% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% African American, 4% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

Phillipsburg High School ranks 253rd of 422 New Jersey high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,794 students attended Phillipsburg High 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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