School 18

School 18 is an elementary school located in Paterson, New Jersey, serving grades 1-8 with a total enrollment of 651 students. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 15% of New Jersey elementary schools, with a 1-star rating for most years.

School 18 faces significant challenges, including very high chronic absenteeism rates, well below average test scores across all grade levels and subjects, and struggles to effectively serve its diverse, economically disadvantaged student population. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 34.8% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 44.9% statewide and 22.3% in the Paterson Public School District. In math, the proficiency rates were even lower, with only 35% of 3rd graders and 1.9% of 8th graders meeting or exceeding standards. The school also has a very high percentage of students (75.27% in 2023-2024) who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

When compared to nearby schools, it becomes clear that School 18 is one of the lowest-performing schools in the district. Schools 10, 21, and 26, all within a 1.2-mile radius, have similarly poor performance, ranking in the bottom 5-10% of New Jersey elementary schools. In contrast, schools outside the Paterson district, such as Westmoreland Elementary School in Fair Lawn and Alexander Hamilton School in Glen Rock, demonstrate significantly higher academic achievement, with proficiency rates well above the state average.