Photo: Ramose350 at English Wikipedia · Public domainPassaic’s public schools score below 95% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation
13% of students in Passaic’s public schools are proficient in math, below the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Passaic, 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 100% 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.
Passaic’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 78 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Passaic’s, its schools beat 17%, higher than their 5% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 28% of tested students were proficient in reading and 13% in math, against 49% and 36% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
75% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $29,834 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 9% since 2021–22. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Passaic Arts and Science Charter School, Yeshiva Ktana of Passaic Boys' (private), Ybh of Passaic-Hillel (private), Bais Yaakov Machon Ora (private), St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School (private), Mesivta Toras Maier (private) and Collegiate School (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 Passaic’s grade
D: better than 5% of New Jersey school districts, #446 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 Passaic, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Passaic · depends on your address
Passaic High School No. 12
Grades 9–12 · 2,484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Passaic Preparatory Academy
Grades 6–12 · 710 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering
Grades 6–12 · 650 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Passaic · depends on your address
Passaic High School No. 12
Grades 9–12 · 2,484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Passaic Preparatory Academy
Grades 6–12 · 710 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering
Grades 6–12 · 650 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Passaic · depends on your address
Passaic High School No. 12
Grades 9–12 · 2,484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Passaic Preparatory Academy
Grades 6–12 · 710 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering
Grades 6–12 · 650 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Passaic · depends on your address
Passaic High School No. 12
Grades 9–12 · 2,484 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Passaic Preparatory Academy
Grades 6–12 · 710 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering
Grades 6–12 · 650 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Passaic’s public schools are run by Passaic 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
Passaic vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Passaic’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Passaic | D | Passaic City |
| Wallington | B | Wallington Borough |
| Garfield | C+ | Garfield City |
| Clifton | C− | Clifton City |
| Rutherford | A− | Rutherford Borough |
Every school in Passaic
25 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 Passaic’s schools
Are Passaic’s schools good?
On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Passaic children attend score below 95% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #446 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 17%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Passaic in?
Passaic City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,448 students in 17 schools (2024–25).
Where do Passaic kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Passaic High School No. 12, Passaic Preparatory Academy and Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering.
What is Passaic’s graduation rate?
75% of the class of 2023 in Passaic City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Passaic spend per student?
$29,834 in Passaic City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Passaic?
Yes: Yeshiva Ktana of Passaic Boys' (religious · all-boys, grades PK–8, 1,177 students), Ybh of Passaic-Hillel (religious, grades PK–8, 860 students), Bais Yaakov Machon Ora (religious · all-girls, grades 9–12, 173 students), St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 108 students), Mesivta Toras Maier (religious · all-boys, grades 9–12, 54 students) and Collegiate School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 46 students). Passaic also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Passaic families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Passaic → 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.