West Orange High School

Summary:

West Orange High School is a public high school serving 2,151 students in grades 9-12 in West Orange, New Jersey, which is part of the West Orange Public Schools district.

While the school performs well for certain student subgroups, such as Asian students (ranked 34 out of 174 high schools) and African American students (ranked 62 out of 260 high schools), it struggles with Hispanic students (ranked 183 out of 394 high schools) and English Language Learners (ranked 102 out of 179 high schools). The school's overall academic performance on NJSLA assessments is generally below the state average, with only 60.4% of 9th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 15.3% proficient or better in Algebra I. However, the school performs better in Geometry, with 73.5% of 9th graders proficient or better, but struggles in Algebra II with only 20.2% of 9th graders proficient or better. Science proficiency is also low, with only 26.5% of 11th graders proficient or better on the NJSLA-S assessment.

Compared to nearby high-performing schools like Livingston High School and Glen Ridge High School, West Orange High School performs significantly worse on standardized test scores, particularly in math. However, the school outperforms lower-ranked schools like East Orange Campus High School and Orange High School in both academic and non-academic metrics. The school's high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 16.6% to 31.9% over the past few years, may be contributing to the lower academic performance and is an area of concern that the school and district could address.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 51 Conforti Ave
       West Orange, NJ  07052-2829


(973) 669-5301

District: West Orange Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
219th of 426 New Jersey High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,571 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  11.4 Help
Number of students:  2,208

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
38.2%
African American:
36.6%
White:
15.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  43.8% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details West Orange High School ranks worse than 51.4% of high schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.49. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at West Orange 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
Help
Compare Details Student population at West Orange High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (38.2%), African American (36.6%), White (15.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 43.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Orange High School is 11.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare West Orange High School employs 192.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Orange High School is $12,571.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

West Orange High School:

SchoolDigger ranks West Orange High School 219th of 426 New Jersey public high schools. (See West Orange 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:


West Orange Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks West Orange Public Schools 230th of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for West Orange High School?

Rank History for West Orange High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 51.71 207th 343 39.7%
2004 53.28 204th 348 41.4%
2005 49.82 223rd 351 36.5%
2006 43.42 257th 357 28.0%
2007 36.72 270th 361 25.2%
2008 40.58 262nd 359 27.0%
2009 51.43 236th 370 36.2%
2010 47.91 254th 371 31.5%
2011 43.30 267th 378 29.4%
2012 47.14 264th 388 32.0%
2013 49.64 268th 396 32.3%
2014 42.77 308th 411 25.1%
2015 41.36 194th 406 52.2%
2016 39.22 231st 409 43.5%
2017 40.37 216th 411 47.4%
2018 41.15 207th 415 50.1%
2019 25.76 291st 416 30.0%
2021 40.22 205th 405 49.4%
2022 35.93 239th 415 42.4%
2023 36.25 235th 422 44.3%
2024 39.49 219th 426 48.6%
See the entire list of New Jersey High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.51 57th 146 61.0%
2019 35.43 81st 138 41.3%
2021 35.78 58th 101 42.6%
2022 48.61 39th 137 71.5%
2023 59.15 34th 161 78.9%
2024 35.93 102nd 179 43.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.26 157th 355 55.8%
2019 40.84 172nd 349 50.7%
2021 42.93 165th 333 50.5%
2022 33.88 211th 344 38.7%
2023 60.14 78th 339 77.0%
2024 50.29 130th 349 62.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.35 152nd 345 55.9%
2019 32.94 227th 347 34.6%
2021 51.94 113th 326 65.3%
2022 42.26 149th 324 54.0%
2023 40.41 167th 344 51.5%
2024 62.15 54th 350 84.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.13 221st 403 45.2%
2019 27.48 284th 408 30.4%
2021 40.99 210th 402 47.8%
2022 41.99 192nd 414 53.6%
2023 33.03 243rd 416 41.6%
2024 40.07 203rd 416 51.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.67 216th 405 46.7%
2019 26.62 276th 407 32.2%
2021 42.36 194th 402 51.7%
2022 35.19 217th 410 47.1%
2023 42.80 176th 414 57.5%
2024 38.92 209th 415 49.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.83 113th 198 42.9%
2019 40.78 121st 191 36.6%
2021 57.36 59th 165 64.2%
2022 69.15 36th 175 79.4%
2023 34.20 109th 172 36.6%
2024 71.75 34th 174 80.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.07 61st 266 77.1%
2019 48.86 109th 254 57.1%
2021 54.63 81st 247 67.2%
2022 45.68 103rd 256 59.8%
2023 65.81 38th 250 84.8%
2024 58.50 62nd 260 76.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.68 222nd 368 39.7%
2019 27.24 268th 364 26.4%
2021 34.60 239th 374 36.1%
2022 43.53 177th 382 53.7%
2023 36.76 209th 385 45.7%
2024 44.07 183rd 394 53.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at West Orange High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.78 116th 340 65.9%
2019 36.64 180th 339 46.9%
2021 52.77 94th 336 72.0%
2022 48.64 126th 335 62.4%
2023 58.76 89th 335 73.4%
2024 84.09 18th 337 94.7%
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.

West Orange 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: 2.3)
0%

25%

25%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Open Quote Poor overall performance, overcrowded facilities, hallways are deafeningly loud, student body is generally unruly. Motivated students will succeed in any school system but WOHS does little to motivate the others. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, March 25, 2013

Open Quote My son attends 10th grade at WOHS. I was not happy with the idea of him going to a public school with negative reviews posted all over.

After two years, I have changed my mind dramatically, the teachers are absolutely fantastic and they strive for the students to reach their full potential. My son loves school, engages with the teachers and has outlined his career path.

His friends are excellent boys, intelligent and honorable.

The school diversity makes it a real world environment, so when he goes to college he will be used to all kinds of people.

Bottom line, don't let any of the negative postings discourage you from having your child attend WOHS. Close Quote



Enrollment information for West Orange 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 1148 109 89 48 0 n/a n/a 0 1394
1989 1034 99 90 67 0 n/a n/a 0 1290
1990 969 135 91 80 0 n/a n/a 0 1275
1991 867 150 109 101 0 n/a n/a 0 1227
1992 847 156 132 130 0 n/a n/a 0 1265
1993 824 177 147 148 0 n/a n/a 0 1296
1994 790 200 144 165 0 n/a n/a 0 1299
1995 771 285 157 182 0 n/a n/a 0 1395
1996 771 285 157 182 0 n/a n/a 0 1395
1998 718 374 167 216 0 n/a n/a 0 1475
1999 694 438 179 217 0 n/a n/a 0 1528
2000 703 498 185 236 1 n/a n/a -1 1622
2001 713 570 173 253 0 n/a n/a 0 1709
2002 684 697 164 318 0 n/a n/a 0 1863
2003 684 697 164 318 0 n/a n/a 0 1863
2004 685 733 174 339 0 n/a n/a 0 1931
2005 659 784 164 390 1 n/a n/a 0 1998
2006 625 814 164 394 1 n/a n/a 0 1998
2007 563 848 166 433 1 n/a n/a 0 2011
2008 525 851 149 446 1 n/a n/a 0 1972
2009 535 876 145 446 0 0 0 0 2002
2010 502 916 147 476 0 0 1 0 2042
2011 514 1009 141 477 0 0 2 0 2143
2012 486 1018 149 479 0 0 9 0 2141
2013 445 1032 140 508 0 0 14 0 2139
2014 409 1046 134 513 0 1 16 0 2119
2015 387 971 123 542 1 0 21 0 2045
2016 396 990 121 557 1 1 18 0 2084
2017 370 926 117 564 1 4 26 0 2008
2018 400 959 122 579 1 3 31 0 2095
2019 407 916 125 614 0 6 50 0 2118
2020 399 877 113 631 0 8 70 0 2098
2021 417 883 97 694 2 7 83 0 2183
2022 368 843 98 720 2 8 99 4 2142
2023 351 796 85 789 2 7 111 10 2151
2024 344 808 91 843 1 4 104 13 2208

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 West Orange High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1394 117.0 11.9 n/a
1989 1290 116.0 11.1 n/a
1990 1275 117.0 10.8 1.7
1991 1227 112.0 10.9 1.7
1992 1265 118.0 10.7 3.5
1993 1296 115.3 11.2 5.3
1994 1299 111.1 11.7 4.7
1995 1395 122.0 11.4 6.7
1996 1395 122.0 11.4 6.7
1998 1475 126.0 11.7 7.9
1999 1528 131.0 11.7 5.7
2000 1622 133.0 12.2 10.8
2001 1709 135.1 12.6 11.4
2002 1863 156.6 11.9 11.2
2003 1863 156.6 11.9 11.2
2004 1931 160.4 12.0 17.6
2005 1998 167.6 11.9 n/a
2006 1998 171.8 11.6 26.9
2007 2011 175.0 11.5 26.7
2008 1972 150.0 13.1 29.3
2009 2002 158.1 10.0 29.2
2010 2042 172.0 11.8 33.2
2011 2143 165.0 12.9 38.9
2012 2141 175.5 12.1 39.5
2013 2139 178.3 11.9 36
2014 2119 190.2 11.1 38.2
2015 2045 190.0 10.7 48
2016 2084 184.0 11.3 48.8
2017 2008 190.5 10.5 47.4
2018 2095 192.3 10.8 46.4
2019 2118 191.9 11.0 44.8
2020 2098 190.3 11.0 43.1
2021 2183 193.2 11.2 43
2022 2142 191.2 11.2 48
2023 2151 189.2 11.3 46.1
2024 2208 192.7 11.4 43.8

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 West Orange High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1394 117.0 11.9 n/a
1989 1290 116.0 11.1 n/a
1990 1275 117.0 10.8 1.7
1991 1227 112.0 10.9 1.7
1992 1265 118.0 10.7 3.5
1993 1296 115.3 11.2 5.3
1994 1299 111.1 11.7 4.7
1995 1395 122.0 11.4 6.7
1996 1395 122.0 11.4 6.7
1998 1475 126.0 11.7 7.9
1999 1528 131.0 11.7 5.7
2000 1622 133.0 12.2 10.8
2001 1709 135.1 12.6 11.4
2002 1863 156.6 11.9 11.2
2003 1863 156.6 11.9 11.2
2004 1931 160.4 12.0 17.6
2005 1998 167.6 11.9 n/a
2006 1998 171.8 11.6 26.9
2007 2011 175.0 11.5 26.7
2008 1972 150.0 13.1 29.3
2009 2002 158.1 10.0 29.2
2010 2042 172.0 11.8 33.2
2011 2143 165.0 12.9 38.9
2012 2141 175.5 12.1 39.5
2013 2139 178.3 11.9 36
2014 2119 190.2 11.1 38.2
2015 2045 190.0 10.7 48
2016 2084 184.0 11.3 48.8
2017 2008 190.5 10.5 47.4
2018 2095 192.3 10.8 46.4
2019 2118 191.9 11.0 44.8
2020 2098 190.3 11.0 43.1
2021 2183 193.2 11.2 43
2022 2142 191.2 11.2 48
2023 2151 189.2 11.3 46.1
2024 2208 192.7 11.4 43.8

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 West Orange High School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2019 $12,571

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

Impact of COVID-19 on West Orange 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 291st of 416 High schoolsRanks 235th of 422 High schools
 14.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (West Orange High School)49.553.3
 3.8%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (West Orange Public Schools)49.553.1
 3.6%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)55.952.1
 3.8%
9th Grade Algebra I (West Orange High School)21.512.8
 8.7%
   9th Grade Algebra I (West Orange Public Schools)21.512.8
 8.7%
   9th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)27.219.2
 8%
9th Grade Geometry (West Orange High School)10067.9
 32.1%
   9th Grade Geometry (West Orange Public Schools)10067.9
 32.1%
   9th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)59.150
 9.1%
9th Grade Algebra II (West Orange High School)38.612.1
 26.5%
   9th Grade Algebra II (West Orange Public Schools)38.612.1
 26.5%
   9th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)77.665.8
 11.8%
End of Course Algebra I (West Orange High School)21.112.7
 8.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (West Orange Public Schools)38.231.3
 6.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (West Orange High School)84.967.9
 17%
   End of Course Geometry (West Orange Public Schools)84.967.9
 17%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%
End of Course Algebra II (West Orange High School)17.312.1
 5.2%
   End of Course Algebra II (West Orange Public Schools)21.526.3
 4.8%
   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 Students21182151
 1.6%
African American916796
 13.1%
American Indian02
Asian12585
 32%
Hispanic614789
 28.5%
Pacific Islander67
 16.7%
White407351
 13.8%
Two or More Races50111
 122%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients44.8%46.1%
 1.3%


Schools Near West Orange High School









Frequently Asked Questions about West Orange High School

West Orange High School ranks 219th of 426 New Jersey high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 2,208 students attended West Orange High School.

Students at West Orange High School are 38% Hispanic, 37% African American, 16% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Asian.


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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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