West Side High School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2025)

403 South Orange Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

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 is ≤5% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving 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%
: 76% (Btm 50% in NJ)
: Bottom 50%
: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
: ≤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:

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)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	West Side High School
9	139
10	170
11	169
12	143

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Total Students

621 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	West Side High School
2023	609
2022	658
2021	620
2020	635
2019	635
2018	545
2017	545
2016	545
2015	545
2014	545
2013	810
2012	1,058
2011	965
2010	1,276
2009	1,487
2008	1,502
2007	1,512
2006	1,512
2005	1,482
2004	1,404
2003	1,327
2002	1,176
2001	1,068
2000	1,099
1999	1,087
1998	998
1996	1,118
1995	1,175
1994	1,164
1993	1,252
1992	1,352
1991	1,144
1990	1,167

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

44 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	West Side High School
2023	46
2022	46
2021	44
2020	52
2019	52
2018	56
2017	56
2016	56
2015	56
2014	56
2013	84
2012	78
2011	69
2010	77
2009	76
2008	81
2007	87
2006	101
2005	99
2004	89
2003	88
2002	75
2001	86
2000	86
1999	75
1998	70
1996	93
1995	91
1994	97
1993	104
1992	99
1991	99
1990	98

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

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 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.

This School

State Level (NJ)

#2146 out of 2201 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	West Side High School
2022	#2146
2021	#2008
2019	#2199
2018	#2149
2014	#1900
2013	#2021
2012	#1885
2011	#1995
2010	#2005

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

≤5%

36%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2022	5%	36%	14%
2021	3%	26%	9%
2019	4%	44%	26%
2018	7%	42%	24%
2014	27%	75%	47%
2013	32%	75%	49%
2012	32%	75%	51%
2011	28%	75%	52%
2010	37%	73%	48%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

10-14%

49%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2022)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2022	12%	49%	27%
2021	27%	47%	26%
2019	15%	57%	36%
2018	23%	55%	24%
2014	62%	69%	41%
2013	52%	69%	42%
2012	62%	69%	42%
2011	54%	69%	43%
2010	48%	69%	43%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

≤5%

23%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2022	5%	23%	7%
2021	5%	22%	7%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Student : Teacher Ratio

14:1

11:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	13:1	11:1	13:1
2022	14:1	11:1	13:1
2021	14:1	11:1	13:1
2020	12:1	12:1	13:1
2019	12:1	12:1	13:1
2018	10:1	12:1	13:1
2017	10:1	12:1	13:1
2016	10:1	12:1	13:1
2015	10:1	12:1	12:1
2014	10:1	12:1	12:1
2013	10:1	12:1	14:1
2012	14:1	13:1	14:1
2011	14:1	15:1	14:1
2010	17:1	14:1	15:1
2009	20:1	12:1	14:1
2008	19:1	15:1	14:1
2007	17:1	13:1	14:1
2006	15:1	13:1	12:1
2005	15:1	13:1	12:1
2004	16:1	13:1	12:1
2003	15:1	14:1	12:1
2002	16:1	14:1	12:1
2001	12:1	15:1	13:1
2000	13:1	14:1	13:1
1999	14:1	15:1	14:1
1998	14:1	15:1	14:1
1996	12:1	15:1	14:1
1995	13:1	15:1	14:1
1994	12:1	15:1	14:1
1993	12:1	15:1	14:1
1992	14:1	15:1	14:1
1991	12:1	15:1	15:1
1990	12:1	15:1	15:1

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

American Indian

n/a

Asian

n/a

10%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2022)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2022	1%	10%	1%
2021	1%	10%	2%
1989	2%	4%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Hispanic

18%

34%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	19%	33%	51%
2022	18%	32%	50%
2021	16%	31%	48%
2020	12%	29%	43%
2019	12%	29%	43%
2018	8%	27%	43%
2017	8%	27%	43%
2016	8%	26%	41%
2015	8%	25%	38%
2014	7%	24%	40%
2013	6%	23%	42%
2012	6%	23%	38%
2011	5%	22%	38%
2010	4%	21%	36%
2009	3%	20%	35%
2008	3%	19%	34%
2007	2%	19%	33%
2006	3%	18%	33%
2005	3%	18%	32%
2004	3%	17%	32%
2003	4%	17%	32%
2002	4%	16%	31%
2001	3%	15%	30%
2000	3%	15%	29%
1999	2%	14%	28%
1998	2%	14%	28%
1996	2%	14%	28%
1995	2%	13%	28%
1994	1%	13%	27%
1993	2%	13%	27%
1992	2%	12%	26%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Black

81%

15%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	81%	15%	42%
2022	81%	15%	43%
2021	83%	15%	44%
2020	88%	15%	49%
2019	88%	15%	49%
2018	92%	16%	50%
2017	92%	16%	50%
2016	92%	16%	52%
2015	92%	16%	53%
2014	92%	16%	51%
2013	94%	16%	48%
2012	93%	16%	53%
2011	95%	16%	52%
2010	96%	17%	56%
2009	97%	17%	57%
2008	97%	17%	58%
2007	98%	17%	59%
2006	97%	18%	59%
2005	97%	18%	59%
2004	96%	18%	59%
2003	96%	18%	59%
2002	96%	18%	60%
2001	97%	18%	61%
2000	97%	18%	62%
1999	98%	18%	63%
1998	98%	18%	64%
1996	98%	19%	63%
1995	98%	19%	63%
1994	99%	19%	63%
1993	98%	19%	63%
1992	98%	19%	63%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

White

38%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2014)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2014	1%	49%	8%
2004	1%	58%	8%
1989	1%	67%	9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

n/a

All Ethnic Groups

0.31

0.72

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	0.31	0.71	0.57
2022	0.31	0.71	0.57
2021	0.29	0.71	0.57
2020	0.21	0.70	0.58
2019	0.21	0.70	0.58
2018	0.15	0.70	0.57
2017	0.15	0.70	0.57
2016	0.15	0.69	0.56
2015	0.15	0.68	0.56
2014	0.15	0.68	0.58
2013	0.11	0.67	0.59
2012	0.13	0.66	0.57
2011	0.10	0.65	0.57
2010	0.08	0.65	0.56
2009	0.06	0.64	0.56
2008	0.06	0.63	0.55
2007	0.04	0.62	0.55
2006	0.06	0.62	0.55
2005	0.06	0.61	0.54
2004	0.08	0.60	0.55
2003	0.08	0.60	0.55
2002	0.08	0.59	0.55
2001	0.06	0.58	0.54
2000	0.06	0.57	0.53
1999	0.04	0.57	0.52
1998	0.04	0.57	0.52
1996	0.04	0.56	0.52
1995	0.04	0.55	0.53
1994	0.02	0.55	0.53
1993	0.04	0.55	0.53
1992	0.04	0.54	0.53

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

76%

85%

View Data

Graduation Rate Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2022	76%	85%	84%
2021	74%	88%	81%
2020	78%	90%	81%
2019	68%	90%	76%
2018	67%	90%	76%
2014	60%	88%	69%
2013	65%	87%	68%
2012	61%	86%	69%
2011	54%	86%	61%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Eligible for

68%

32%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	71%	31%	73%
2022	72%	30%	75%
2021	57%	32%	71%
2020	52%	33%	71%
2019	52%	33%	71%
2018	77%	33%	75%
2017	77%	33%	75%
2016	77%	33%	74%
2015	77%	31%	76%
2014	77%	32%	80%
2013	81%	31%	81%
2012	71%	29%	78%
2011	72%	27%	79%
2010	63%	26%	73%
2009	58%	24%	71%
2008	52%	22%	60%
2007	56%	21%	63%
2006	48%	21%	41%
2004	52%	21%	60%
2003	53%	21%	68%
2002	62%	22%	74%
2001	60%	22%	75%
2000	52%	23%	75%
1999	63%	24%	77%
1998	66%	24%	77%
1996	61%	24%	76%
1995	67%	24%	78%
1994	61%	24%	74%
1993	58%	23%	71%
1992	38%	21%	70%
1991	51%	18%	67%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2023)
Year	West Side High School	New Jersey	Newark Public School District
2023	6%	5%	8%
2022	5%	4%	7%
2021	6%	4%	7%
2020	1%	5%	4%
2019	1%	5%	4%
2018	3%	5%	4%
2017	3%	5%	4%
2016	3%	5%	4%
2015	3%	5%	4%
2014	3%	5%	5%
2013	7%	6%	8%
2012	6%	6%	7%
2011	5%	5%	8%
2010	6%	6%	9%
2009	6%	6%	11%
2008	6%	6%	10%
2007	5%	6%	10%
2006	2%	6%	3%
2004	7%	6%	9%
2003	4%	6%	8%
2002	1%	6%	7%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Newark Public School District

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

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

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.

- Posted by Parent - R. Starks

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

June 10, 2025

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project-based learning has been highly touted by some educators as a viable option to traditional learning models. We’ll take a look at what project-based learning is and why it is getting so much attention today.

June 10, 2025

What is an Online High School

Find information about Online High Schools - what they are and how they work.

June 10, 2025

“Smart Snacks” Standards Coming to School Vending Machines Nationwide

We explore new federal regulations that will ban junk food from public schools. This means no more sweets and soda in cafeteria lines, vending machines and snacks sold in other locations around the schools.