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West Side High School

Public Grades 9-12

387^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 434 New Jersey High Schools

Better than 11% of New Jersey high schools

Summary

West Side High School is a public high school in Newark, New Jersey, serving 621 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Newark Public School District, which has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranks 534 out of 609 districts in the state.

West Side High School has consistently underperformed compared to state and district averages on standardized tests. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 6.7% of 9th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 49.9% statewide and 36% in the district. The school's math performance was even worse, with only 2.9% of 9th-grade students proficient or better in Algebra I, compared to 20.3% statewide and 13% in the district. West Side High School also struggles with low graduation rates and high dropout rates, as well as high rates of chronic absenteeism.

When comparing West Side High School to nearby public high schools, the differences are stark. For example, Bard Early College High School, located just 0.68 miles away, has significantly higher proficiency rates in both English Language Arts (58.9%) and Algebra I (44%). Similarly, Science Park High School, located 0.97 miles away, has consistently ranked among the top high schools in the state. Despite the school's challenges, West Side High School spends $14,251 per student, which is higher than the state average, suggesting that the issue may not be solely a matter of funding.

541

Students ?

12.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,251

Per pupil spending ?

81.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

403 South Orange Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103

(973) 733-7019

District: Newark Public School District

Feeder schools for West Side High School:

Elementary:	Abington Avenue School
	Ann Street School
	Avon Avenue School
	Belmont Runyon Elementary School
	More...
	Camden Street Elementary School
	Chancellor Avenue School
	Dr. E. Alma Flagg School
	Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School
	Elliott Street Elementary School
	First Avenue School
	Fourteenth Avenue School
	Franklin Elementary School
	George Washington Carver Elementary School
	Grover Cleveland Elementary School
	Harriet Tubman Elementary School
	Hawkins Street School
	Hawthorne Avenue School
	Ivy Hill Elementary School
	Lafayette Street School
	Lincoln Elementary School
	Louise A. Spencer Elementary School
	Luis Munoz Marin Elementary School
	McKinley Elementary School
	Mt Vernon Place School
	Oliver Street School
	Park Elementary School
	Peshine Avenue School
	Quitman Street School
	Rafael Hernandez School
	Ridge Street School
	Roberto Clemente Elementary School
	South 17th Street School
	South Street Elementary School
	Speedway Avenue School
	Sussex Avenue School
	Thirteenth Avenue School
	Wilson Avenue School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

80.6%

Hispanic:

17.7%

Two or more races:

0.7%

See top rated New Jersey high schools

Compare West Side High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 4th percentile in 2010 → 11th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2010

Worth a look

!Test scores below the New Jersey average (20% vs 48% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (11th percentile)

!Graduation rate below the New Jersey average (76% vs 89%)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school20%

District avg31%

New Jersey avg48%

387^th of 434

New Jersey public high schools ?

Bottom 11%▲ up 10 pts since 2021

From bottom 1% (2021) to bottom 11% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New Jersey High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 13High Schools in the Newark Public School District

534^th of 609Newark Public School District among New Jersey districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	15.2	387 of 434	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	9.7	411 of 429	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.6	410 of 422	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	10.2	402 of 415	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.9	401 of 405	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	0.2	405 of 411	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	0.2	391 of 396	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	0.3	383 of 388	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	0.4	373 of 378	1.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	2.1	356 of 371	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	0.7	363 of 370	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	0.4	352 of 359	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	0.6	352 of 361	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	0.9	344 of 357	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	0.9	341 of 351	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	0.8	338 of 348	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2003	0.4	337 of 343	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	23.5	239 of 283	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.4	251 of 282	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.0	230 of 250	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	19.0	235 of 256	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	15.0	243 of 247	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	19.5	361 of 426	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	12.1	392 of 420	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.1	404 of 416	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.2	398 of 414	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.2	399 of 402	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	35.1	273 of 406	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	9.9	387 of 403	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	15.1	357 of 385	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	17.3	344 of 382	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.0	346 of 374	7.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	21.5	322 of 377	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.5	330 of 358	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	16.4	318 of 344	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	16.7	300 of 324	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	10.8	321 of 326	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	13.0	382 of 426	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	7.9	403 of 419	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.4	391 of 414	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.3	391 of 410	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	9.9	391 of 402	2.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New Jersey percentile	Rating
2025	30.0	258 of 359	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.1	346 of 361	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	19.6	303 of 339	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	27.8	258 of 344	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	15.4	321 of 333	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2025)33rd percentile+22 vs school

Special Education (2025)28th percentile+17 vs school

African American (2025)16th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)15th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)15th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)10th percentile~ school

By subject vs New Jersey (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts74%-7 vs state

Mathematics18%-40 vs state

Science4%-27 vs state

Algebra I3%-28 vs state

★

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Schools Near West Side High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				NJGPA English Language Arts (2025)	NJGPA Mathematics (2025)	NJSLA-S Science (2025)		NJSLA English Language Arts (2025)			NJSLA Mathematics (2025)	NJSLA Algebra I (2025)			NJSLA Geometry (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NJGPA English Language Arts 11th Grade	NJGPA Mathematics 11th Grade	NJSLA-S Science 8th Grade	NJSLA-S Science 11th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 7th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 8th Grade	NJSLA English Language Arts 9th Grade	NJSLA Mathematics 7th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I 8th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I 9th Grade	NJSLA Algebra I End of Course	NJSLA Geometry 9th Grade	NJSLA Geometry End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Side High School	Public	9-12	403 South Orange Avenue	Newark	07103	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-7019	541	44	12.4	81.1%	2 (0.4%)	436 (80.6%)	96 (17.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.7%)	15.2	387^th of 434 public high schools	10.8%		9.7	411^th of 429 public high schools	4.2%	24	73.8	17.9		3.8			6.7			2.9	2.9			$14,251	$797	$13,454
John F. Kennedy School	Public	9-12	311 S Tenth St	Newark	07103	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-6788	143	22	6.5	79.0%	1 (0.7%)	81 (56.6%)	58 (40.6%)	2 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)														$34,476	$428	$34,048
LEAD Charter School	Public, Charter	9-12	201 Bergen Street	Newark	07103	Essex County	LEAD Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(862) 772-1724	333	5	66.6	65.5%	18 (5.4%)	284 (85.3%)	19 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14.3	395^th of 434 public high schools	9.0%		18.4	366^th of 429 public high schools	14.7%	29	60.7			7.4							6.7			$7,324	$814	$6,510
Bard Early College High School	Public	9-12	321 Bergen Street	Newark	07103	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-8363	395	32	12.5	62.5%	2 (0.5%)	257 (65.1%)	124 (31.4%)	4 (1.0%)	2 (0.5%)	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)	57.6	158^th of 434 public high schools	63.6%		44.8	230^th of 429 public high schools	46.4%	72		84.9		23.1			58.9			44.0	44.0	7.7	7.7	$10,089	$279	$9,810
Essex Rch	Public	8-12	461 463 Central Avenue	Newark	07107	Essex County	Office Of Education Juvenile Justice Commission	No	(n/a)	No	No	(973) 648-7078	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Essex County Donald M. Payne Senior School of Technology	Public	9-12	498-544 West Market St	Newark	07107	Essex County	Essex County Schools of Technology	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 412-2203	1,230	93	13.2	73.4%	23 (1.9%)	635 (51.6%)	547 (44.5%)	14 (1.1%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	57.1	165^th of 434 public high schools	62.0%		59.2	152^nd of 429 public high schools	64.6%	13		78.7		21.3			66.0			34.3	34.3	47.6	45.9	$8,605	$479	$8,126
Newark Vocational High School	Public	9-12	301 West Kinney St	Newark	07103	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-7308	591	59	10.0	86.6%	11 (1.9%)	257 (43.5%)	308 (52.1%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.4%)	18.7	368^th of 434 public high schools	15.2%		12.9	393^rd of 429 public high schools	8.4%	25	67.7	25.5		8.1			41.3			5.6	5.6
Science Park High School	Public	7-12	260 Norfolk Street	Newark	07102	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-8689	964	68	14.2	68.0%	83 (8.6%)	332 (34.4%)	502 (52.1%)	27 (2.8%)	3 (0.3%)	5 (0.5%)	12 (1.2%)	87.4	20^th of 434 public high schools	95.4%		82.8	46^th of 429 public high schools	89.3%	26			56.8	73.8	88.2	92.2	98.1	86.2	92.2	85.8	88.0	68.2	68.2	$11,449	$497	$10,952
Central High School	Public	9-12	250 18th Avenue	Newark	07103	Essex County	Newark Public School District	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(973) 733-6378	1,051	78	13.5	74.5%	8 (0.8%)	554 (52.7%)	465 (44.2%)	8 (0.8%)	3 (0.3%)	4 (0.4%)	9 (0.9%)	8.5	423^rd of 434 public high schools	2.5%		8.6	413^th of 429 public high schools	3.7%	10	55.2	14.8		5.9			11.6			3.3	3.3			$16,638	$864	$15,774
Essex County Jdc	Public	8-12	80 Duryea Street	Newark	08302	Essex County	Essex County Jdc	No	(n/a)	No	No	(973) 484-4908	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about West Side High School

What schools feed into West Side High School?

Is West Side High School a good school?

West Side High School ranks in the bottom 10.8% of New Jersey high schools.

How many students attend West Side High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 541 students attended West Side High School.

What is the racial makeup of West Side High School?

Students at West Side High School are 81% African American, 18% Hispanic.

What district is West Side High School in?

Newark Public School District

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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.