For the 2025 school year, there are 53 public high schools serving 57,805 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top ranked public high schools in Essex County, NJ are Millburn High School, Science Park High School and Livingston High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the New Jersey public high school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average). High schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New Jersey public high schools.
Essex County, NJ public high school have a Graduation Rate of 90%, which is less than the New Jersey average of 91%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Millburn High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in New Jersey or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public high school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Essex County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Millburn High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
462 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,393 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #22.
Science Park High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
260 Norfolk Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Gr: 7-12 | 970 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #33.
Livingston High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Robert Harp Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,081 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Glen Ridge High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Gr: 7-12 | 811 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #55.
Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
445 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
Gr: 9-12 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #66.
Technology High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
223 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Gr: 9-12 | 654 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #77.
West Essex High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
65 West Greenbrook Rd
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,055 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
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 | 6,476 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Verona High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
151 Fairview Ave
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6750
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6750
Gr: 9-12 | 628 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Columbia High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
17 Parker Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-5600
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,933 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
James Caldwell High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
265 Westville Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-6981
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-6981
Gr: 9-12 | 772 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1212.
Nutley High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 Franklin Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8824
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8824
Gr: 9-12 | 1,190 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School Of Technology
Vocational School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
498-544 West Market St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 412-2203
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 412-2203
Gr: 9-12 | 1,148 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Essex County Newark Technical
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
91 West Market St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 412-2204
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 412-2204
Gr: 9-12 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Bard Early College High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
321 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-8363
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-8363
Gr: 9-12 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
East Orange Stem Academy High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
129 Renshaw Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
Gr: 6-12 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
Cedar Grove High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
90 Rugby Road
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-6400
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1818.
Essex County West Caldwell Technical
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 Passaic Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 412-2205
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 412-2205
Gr: 9-12 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Essex Campus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
369 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 575-0469
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 575-0469
Gr: 9-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Essex High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
369 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Gr: 9-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: #2121.
Montclair High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Chestnut St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4100
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,961 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2222.
Bloomfield High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
160 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8500
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,037 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2323.
West Orange High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
51 Conforti Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5301
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5301
Gr: 9-12 | 2,208 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2424.
University High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
55 Clinton Pl
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Gr: 8-12 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/high School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
35 Winans Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 414-8600
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 414-8600
Gr: 6-12 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
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 | 2,124 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1
Rank: #2727.
Newark Sch Of Data Science And Information Technology
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 695-3748
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 695-3748
Gr: 9-11 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #2828.
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 | 6,319 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Rank: #2929.
Arts High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
550 M L King Blvd
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7391
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7391
Gr: 9-12 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #3030.
Belleville High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Passaic Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4343
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4343
Gr: 9-12 | 1,591 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3131.
Newark School Of Global Studies
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
24 Crane Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5112
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5112
Gr: 9-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3232.
American History High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
74 Montgomery St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-7333
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-7333
Gr: 9-12 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3333.
Newark School Of Fashion & Design
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
239 Woodside Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 327-4466
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 327-4466
Gr: 9-11 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
Orange High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 Lincoln Ave
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4050
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,370 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #3535.
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 | 1,393 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1
Show 18 more public schools in Essex County, NJ (out of 53 total schools)
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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 student 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%
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 high schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top ranked public high schools in Essex County, NJ include Millburn High School, Science Park High School and Livingston High School.
How many public high schools are located in Essex County?
53 public high schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public high schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public high schools average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Essex County include: Kipp Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/high School vs. East Orange Stem Academy High School, James Caldwell High School vs. Verona High School
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