West Side High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school complex in Newark, in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of the Newark Public Schools. The school is operated by the Newark Public Schools and is located at 279 Chancellor Avenue.
Serving 621 students in grades 9-12, West Side High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New Jersey for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≤5% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 10-14% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 49%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the New Jersey state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 62% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 621 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 76% (Btm 50% in NJ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Side High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
West Side High School's student population of 621 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 44 teachers has declined by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
621 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
44 teachers
Year Founded
1925
Colors
White, Green
School Rankings
West Side High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,201 schools in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Side High School is 0.31, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2146 out of 2201 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
23%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
10%
Hispanic
18%
34%
Black
81%
15%
White
1%
38%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
76%
85%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
32%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Sports
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volley Ball, Winter Track
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Debate Club, Honor Society, Humanitarian Club, Pathways to College, Robotics, Ski Club, Stand & Deliver, Student Council
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- West Side High School offers a Dual Enrollment Program (Associates Degree from Essex County College in Business Administration) and CTE Pathways.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Side High School's ranking?
West Side High School is ranked #2146 out of 2,201 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey.
What schools are West Side High School often compared to?
West Side High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Union High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% NJ state average), while 10-14% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NJ state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Side High School?
The graduation rate of West Side High School is 76%, which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 85%.
How many students attend West Side High School?
621 students attend West Side High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
81% of West Side High School students are Black, 18% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Side High School?
West Side High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1.
What grades does West Side High School offer ?
West Side High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Side High School part of?
West Side High School is part of Newark Public School District.
In what neighborhood is West Side High School located?
West Side High School is located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Newark, NJ. There are 3 other public schools located in Fairmount.
School Reviews
4 2/21/2022
West Side offers has college classes that my daughter can take while in school with the after-school program. She is graduating in June of 2022 with an Associates's Degree from Essex County College. I am so proud of the opportunities offered to her at West Side. She is also involved in clubs like Student Council and The Ski Club.
Review West Side High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
