Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0Jersey City’s public schools score below 82% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Jersey City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Jersey City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within New Jersey, not nationally.
From New Jersey state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Jersey City’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 49% and 36% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $29,234 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
26 elementary schools, then eight high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Jersey City Community Charter School, Jersey City Golden Door Charter School, Learning Community Charter School, Soaring Heights Charter School, University Academy Charter High School, The Ethical Community Charter School, Dr Lena Edwards Academic Charter School, BelovED Community Charter School, Jersey City Global Charter School, Empowerment Academy Charter School, Kindle Education Public Charter School, St. Peters Preparatory School (private), Brunswick School (private), Hudson Catholic Regional High School (private), Our Lady of Czestochowa (private), Primary Prep Elementary School (private), Hamilton Park Montessori School (private), Hamilton Park Montessori School Upper School (private), Hudson Montessori (private), French American Academy (private), St. Dominic Academy (private), St. Aloysius Elementary Academy (private), Sacred Heart School (private), St. Joseph Elementary School (private), St. Elizabeth School & Child Care Center (private), The Brunswick School (private), St. Nicholas School (private), Waterfront Montessori (private), Al-Ghazaly School (private), Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School (private) and Tet Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Jersey City’s grade
C−: better than 18% of New Jersey school districts, #399 of 465 New Jersey towns. Both inputs trail the New Jersey average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Jersey City, with each school’s own grade.
Jersey City’s public schools are run by Jersey City School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Jersey City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Jersey City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | C− | Jersey City |
| Secaucus | B | Secaucus Town |
| Hoboken | B | Hoboken City |
| Bayonne | C | Bayonne City |
| Kearny | C | Kearny Town |
| Union City | B− | Union City |
| North Bergen | D | North Bergen Township |
New York, NY borders Jersey City but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Jersey City
73 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with New Jersey’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Jersey City’s schools
Are Jersey City’s schools good?
On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Jersey City children attend score below 82% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #399 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 14%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Jersey City in?
Jersey City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 24,151 students in 39 schools (2024–25).
Where do Jersey City kids go to high school?
One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: William L Dickinson High School, James J Ferris High School, Lincoln High School, Henry Snyder High School, Dr Ronald McNair High School, Innovation High School, Infinity Institute and Liberty High School.
What is Jersey City’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Jersey City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Jersey City spend per student?
$29,234 in Jersey City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Jersey City?
Yes: St. Peters Preparatory School (catholic · all-boys, grades 9–12, 863 students), Brunswick School (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 499 students), Hudson Catholic Regional High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 496 students), Our Lady of Czestochowa (Catholic, grades PK–8, 425 students), Primary Prep Elementary School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 369 students), Hamilton Park Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 302 students), Hamilton Park Montessori School Upper School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 302 students), Hudson Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 256 students), French American Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 219 students), St. Dominic Academy (catholic · all-girls, grades 8–12, 189 students), St. Aloysius Elementary Academy (Catholic, grades PK–7, 186 students), Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 169 students), St. Joseph Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 160 students), St. Elizabeth School & Child Care Center (Catholic, grades PK–K, 141 students), The Brunswick School (nonsectarian, grades PK–1, 130 students), St. Nicholas School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 128 students), Waterfront Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 111 students), Al-Ghazaly School (religious, grades PK–6, 57 students), Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 46 students) and Tet Christian Academy (religious, grades 1–5, 4 students). Jersey City also has 11 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Jersey City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Jersey City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within New Jersey. Stars are from neighbors.