Top Rankings
Paterson Public School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public high schools serving 5,796 students in Paterson Public School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in New Jersey.
Public High Schools in Paterson Public School District have an average math proficiency score of 3% (versus the New Jersey public high school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 14% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Public High School in Paterson Public School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is less than the New Jersey average of 91%.
The school with highest graduation rate is International High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in New Jersey or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the New Jersey public high school average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NJ)
# Schools
44 Schools
548 Schools
# Students
21,890 Students
467,298 Students
# Teachers
1,701 Teachers
36,806 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Paterson Public School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 645 school districts in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 85% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#610 out of 648 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
5%
23%
Graduation Rate
86%
85%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.45
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
6%
10%
% Hispanic
72%
34%
% Black
17%
17%
% White
5%
37%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
n/a
2%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $33,802 is higher than the state median of $26,931. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $33,061 is higher than the state median of $25,828. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$740 MM
$36,642 MM
Spending
$724 MM
$35,142 MM
Revenue / Student
$33,802
$26,931
Spending / Student
$33,061
$25,828
Best Paterson Public School District Public High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Alternative High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
350 Market Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0110
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0110
Gr: 9-12 | 118 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
Rank: #22.
Paterson P-tech High School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
201 Memorial Drive
Paterson, NJ 07505
(973) 321-2292
Paterson, NJ 07505
(973) 321-2292
Gr: 9-12 | 200 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
International High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Grand Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-2280
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-2280
Gr: 9-12 | 662 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Paterson Steam High School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
764 11th Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07514
(973) 321-0560
Paterson, NJ 07514
(973) 321-0560
Gr: 9-12 | 325 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #55.
Rosa L. Parks School Of Fine And Performing Arts
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
413 12th Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07514
(973) 321-0520
Paterson, NJ 07514
(973) 321-0520
Gr: 9-12 | 257 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Students Transitioning And Achieving Real Success
Special Education School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 21-39% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
764 11th Ave
Paterson, NJ 07504
(973) 321-0500
Paterson, NJ 07504
(973) 321-0500
Gr: 9-12 | 111 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
John F. Kennedy High School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
61-127 Preakness Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07502
(973) 321-0500
Paterson, NJ 07502
(973) 321-0500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,794 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #88.
Eastside High School
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
150 Park Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-2354
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-2354
Gr: 9-12 | 2,087 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Newcomers
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: ≤5% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
482-506 Market Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0110
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0110
Gr: 3-11 | 160 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 80:1
Rank: n/an/a
151 Ellison Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0760
Paterson, NJ 07501
(973) 321-0760
Gr: 9-12 | 82 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.

Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.

What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.