For the 2026-27 school year, there are 18 public charter schools serving 21,973 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Essex County, NJ are The Gray Charter School, Robert Treat Academy Charter School and North Star Academy Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the New Jersey public charter school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 45% statewide average). Charter schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of New Jersey public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public charter school average of 94% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Best Public Charter Schools in Essex County (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
The Gray Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
55 Liberty Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 824-6661
Gr: K-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #22.
Robert Treat Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
443 Clifton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 482-8811
Gr: K-8 | 702 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #33.
North Star Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Washington Place
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Gr: K-12 | 6,714 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #44.
Discovery Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
240 Halsey St, 2nd Fl.
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 623-0222
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 623-0222
Gr: 4-8 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #55.
Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 Woodside Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 481-9001
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 481-9001
Gr: K-8 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
Pride Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
117 Elmwood Ave
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 672-3200
East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 672-3200
Gr: 5-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #77.
Philip's Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
342 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 624-0644
Gr: PK-8 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #88.
Burch Charter School Of Excellence
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Linden Ave
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 373-3223
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 373-3223
Gr: K-5 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
Rank: #99.
Newark Educators Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
12 Fulton St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 289-6117
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 289-6117
Gr: PK-4 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1010.
Link Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
23 Pennsyvania Ave
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 642-0529
Newark, NJ 07114
(973) 642-0529
Gr: K-8 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #1111.
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Gr: PK-12 | 2,169 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
Rank: #1212.
East Orange Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
99 Washington Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 996-0400
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 996-0400
Gr: K-4 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #1313.
Roseville Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
540 Orange Street
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 483-4400
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 483-4400
Gr: K-4 | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1414.
Team Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
60 Park Place, Suite 802
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 622-0905
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 622-0905
Gr: K-12 | 6,406 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #1515.
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
125 Sussex Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 621-0060
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 621-0060
Gr: PK-12 | 1,410 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Rank: #1616.
New Horizons Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
45 59 Hayes Street
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 848-0400
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 848-0400
Gr: K-8 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1717.
Lead Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07103
(862) 772-1724
Newark, NJ 07103
(862) 772-1724
Gr: 9-12 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 67:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
People's Achieve Community Charter School
Charter School
534 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 556-7070
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 556-7070
Gr: K-12 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1
Essex County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Legacy Academy Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
75 Morton St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 317-8361
Gr: 6-8 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Achieve Community Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
534 Clinton Avenue
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Newark, NJ 07108
(862) 240-4887
Gr: K-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School (Closed 2014)
Charter School
15 James St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 297-1275
Gr: K-8 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
43 Alexander St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2390
Gr: 1-8 | 385 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
100 Linden Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 399-6847
Gr: K-5 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
90 Parker Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5125
Gr: 9-12 | 1,263 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Bloomfield Technical Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
209 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 412-2206
Gr: 9-12 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
15 Boylan St
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 374-2490
Gr: PK-K | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
103 Bragaw Ave
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 705-3970
Gr: K-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
180 Oraton St
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5340
Gr: PK-4 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
28 Burnet St
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7138
Gr: PK-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
321 Bergen St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-3870
Gr: 5-8 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Career And Innovation Academy Of Orange (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
123 Cleveland Street
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 673-0746
Gr: 9-12
255 Chancellor Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3860
Gr: K-2 | 141 students Minority enrollment: 99%
36 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: K-5 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
534 Clinton Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6970
Gr: PK | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
26 Speedway Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 733-6234
Gr: PK | 57 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
229 18th Ave
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 733-6824
Gr: PK-8 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Essex Regional School (Closed 2026)
Alternative School
395-97 No 5th Street
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 648-4333
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 648-4333
Gr: PK-12
557 Fifteenth Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-6924
Gr: PK-8 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
279 Chancellor Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 508-4334
Gr: 6-12 | 116 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Greater Newark Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
72 Central Avenue
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-3543
Gr: 5-8 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Independence High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
15 Smalley Place
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Irvington, NJ 07111
(973) 372-5601
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students
1064 Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NJ 07111
Irvington, NJ 07111
Gr: PK | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 623-9005
Gr: K-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
663 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5330
Gr: 5-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
M.e.t.s. Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
211 Sherman Ave
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 526-8500
Gr: 6-12
823 S 16th St
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
33 Maple Ave
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Newark, NJ 07112
(973) 705-3850
Gr: K-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
108 South 9th St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 733-7368
Gr: K-8 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Memorial Hall High School (Closed 2009)
Special Education School
236 Hoover Avenue
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 259-1870
Gr: 7-12 | 112 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Merit Preparatory Charter School Of Newark (Closed 2018)
Charter School
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-4400
Gr: 5-10 | 494 students
Millburn Regional Day School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
70 Spring Street
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Millburn, NJ 07041
(201) 343-6000
Gr: PK-12 | 3 students
Show 29 more closed public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 64 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Essex County, NJ include The Gray Charter School, Robert Treat Academy Charter School and North Star Academy Charter School.
How many public charter schools are located in Essex County?
18 public charter schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public charter schools minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public charter schools average of 94% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public charter schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public charter schools in Essex County include: Marion P. Thomas Charter School vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Philip's Academy Charter School vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Maria Varisco Rogers Charter School vs. Robert Treat Academy Charter School
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