New Jersey is the #11 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,354,693 students across the 2,554 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 1,374 private schools, serving 216,190 students). 86% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in New Jersey is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 49%.
The top-ranked public schools in New Jersey are Bergen County Academies, School 28, and Infinity Institute. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 63%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in New Jersey (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Bergen County Academies
Vocational School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
200 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 343-6000
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 343-6000
Rank: #22.
School 28
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
200 Presidential Boulevard
Paterson, NJ 07522
(973) 321-0281
Paterson, NJ 07522
(973) 321-0281
Rank: #33.
Infinity Institute
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
193 Old Bergen Road
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 915-1404
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 915-1404
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro
Vocational School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
504 Route 46 West
Teterboro, NJ 07608
(201) 343-6000
Teterboro, NJ 07608
(201) 343-6000
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Dr Ronald Mcnair High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
123 Coles Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 418-7617
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 418-7617
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
High Technology High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-8444
Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-8444
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1 Convery Boulevard
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 634-5858
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 634-5858
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Biotechnology High School
Vocational School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5000 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-7942
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-7942
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Marine Academy Of Technology And Environmental Science
Vocational School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
195 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Academy For Allied Health Sciences
Vocational School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-8288
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-8288
Overview
This State (NJ)
US
# Schools
2,554 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
1,354,693 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Gender %
# Teachers
116,293 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NJ)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
43%
Graduation Rate
90.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 36-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 26-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
2,725 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
141,438 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
11%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
468,760 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
35%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Black Students
191,477 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
14%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
502,657 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
37%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
2,371 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
44,636 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 17-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NJ)
Statewide Total Revenue
$42,853 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$42,028 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$31,633
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$31,024
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best New Jersey Public Schools by County (2026-27)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in New Jersey?
The top-ranked public schools in New Jersey include Bergen County Academies, School 28, and Infinity Institute.
How many public schools are located in New Jersey?
2,554 public schools are located in New Jersey.
What percentage of students in New Jersey go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Jersey?
Minority enrollment in New Jersey is 63%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in New Jersey are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Jersey include: J. Harvey Rodgers School vs. Aura Elementary School, School One vs. Charles Olbon School, Dr. Leroy Mccloud Elementary School vs. Dr. John Grieco Elementary School
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