Photo: Luigi Novi · CC BY 4.0Union City’s public schools score below 53% of New Jersey districts on tests and graduation
29% of students in Union City’s public schools are proficient in math, below the New Jersey average (36%). The grade covers the public school district serving Union 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 97% 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.
Union City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 145 New Jersey towns with household incomes within a quarter of Union City’s, its schools beat 83%, higher than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 29% in spring 2022, against 49% and 36% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,960 per student, against $28,441 across New Jersey (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Rising Star Academy (private), St. Francis Academy (private) and Learning Institute of Union City Inc. (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 Union City’s grade
B−: better than 47% of New Jersey school districts, #261 of 465 New Jersey towns. Graduation is above the New Jersey average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Union City, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Emerson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 999 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Union Hill Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 865 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Sara M. Gilmore Academy
Grades 1–8 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Emerson Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 999 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Union Hill Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 865 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Sara M. Gilmore Academy
Grades 1–8 · 400 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Union City High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,147 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Jose Marti STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 625 students · 11:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Union City High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,147 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Jose Marti STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 625 students · 11:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Union City High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,147 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Jose Marti STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 625 students · 11:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Union City · depends on your address
Union City High School
Grades 9–12 · 3,147 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Jose Marti STEM Academy
Grades 9–12 · 625 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Union City’s public schools are run by Union 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.
Above the state in reading
Union City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the New Jersey towns that share Union City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Union City | B− | Union City |
| North Bergen | D | North Bergen Township |
| Weehawken | B− | Weehawken Township |
| Jersey City | C− | Jersey City |
| West New York | C− | West New York Town |
| Hoboken | B | Hoboken City |
Every school in Union City
17 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 Union City’s schools
Are Union City’s schools good?
On New Jersey’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Union City children attend score below 53% of New Jersey’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #261 of 465 New Jersey towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Union City in?
Union City School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,519 students in 14 schools (2024–25).
Where do Union City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Union City High School and Jose Marti STEM Academy.
What is Union City’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Union City School District graduated in four years, against 90% across New Jersey.
How much does Union City spend per student?
$25,960 in Union City School District (FY2024), against $28,441 across New Jersey. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Union City?
Yes: Rising Star Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 286 students), St. Francis Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 261 students) and Learning Institute of Union City Inc. (religious, grades PK–12, 194 students).
Parents talk
What Union City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Union 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.