For the 2026 school year, there are 53 public high schools serving 57,805 students in Essex County, NJ.
The top-ranked public high schools in Essex County, NJ are Millburn High School, Science Park High School and Livingston High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Essex County, NJ public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the New Jersey public high school average of 29%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average). High schools in Essex County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of New Jersey public high schools.
Essex County, NJ public high school have a Graduation Rate of 90%, which is less than the New Jersey average of 91%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Millburn High School, with ≥99% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in New Jersey or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public high school average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Essex County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Millburn High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
462 Millburn Ave
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Millburn, NJ 07041
(973) 564-7130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,380 student Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #22.
Science Park High School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
260 Norfolk Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-8689
Gr: 7-12 | 964 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #33.
Livingston High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Robert Harp Drive
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Livingston, NJ 07039
(973) 535-8000
Gr: 9-12 | 2,081 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #44.
Glen Ridge High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
200 Ridgewood Ave
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
(973) 429-8303
Gr: 7-12 | 799 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Stem Innovation Academy Of The Oranges
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
445 Scotland Road
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 677-4190
Gr: 9-12 | 180 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Rank: #66.
Technology High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
223 Broadway
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 481-5962
Gr: 9-12 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #77.
West Essex High School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
65 West Greenbrook Rd
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-1200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,061 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
North Star Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
10 Washington Place
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 642-0101
Gr: K-12 | 6,714 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Verona High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
151 Fairview Ave
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6750
Verona, NJ 07044
(973) 571-6750
Gr: 9-12 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1010.
Columbia High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
17 Parker Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-5600
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,985 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1111.
James Caldwell High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
265 Westville Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-6981
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 228-6981
Gr: 9-12 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1212.
Nutley High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 Franklin Ave
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8824
Nutley, NJ 07110
(973) 661-8824
Gr: 9-12 | 1,222 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1313.
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School Of Technology
Vocational School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
498-544 West Market St
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 412-2203
Newark, NJ 07107
(973) 412-2203
Gr: 9-12 | 1,230 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Essex County Newark Technical
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
91 West Market St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 412-2204
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 412-2204
Gr: 9-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Bard Early College High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
321 Bergen Street
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-8363
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-8363
Gr: 9-12 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #1616.
East Orange Stem Academy High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
129 Renshaw Avenue
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 266-5900
Gr: 6-12 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1717.
Cedar Grove High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
90 Rugby Road
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-6400
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
(973) 239-6400
Gr: 9-12 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1818.
Essex County West Caldwell Technical
Vocational School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
620 Passaic Ave
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 412-2205
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 412-2205
Gr: 9-12 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Essex Campus Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
369 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Gr: 9-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Essex High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
369 Passaic Avenue
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 815-1389
Gr: 9-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2121.
Montclair High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Chestnut St
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4100
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 509-4100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,925 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2222.
Bloomfield High School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
160 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8500
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 680-8500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,055 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2323.
West Orange High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
51 Conforti Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5301
West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 669-5301
Gr: 9-12 | 2,106 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2424.
University High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
55 Clinton Pl
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Newark, NJ 07108
(973) 374-3190
Gr: 8-12 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2525.
Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/high School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
35 Winans Street
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 414-8600
East Orange, NJ 07017
(973) 414-8600
Gr: 6-12 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
909 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 256-0909
Gr: PK-12 | 2,169 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
Rank: #2727.
Newark School Of Data Science And Information Technology
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
746 Sanford Avenue
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 695-3748
Newark, NJ 07106
(973) 695-3748
Gr: 9-12 | 414 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2828.
Team Academy Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
60 Park Place, Suite 802
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 622-0905
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 622-0905
Gr: K-12 | 6,406 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1
Rank: #2929.
Arts High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
550 M L King Blvd
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7391
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 733-7391
Gr: 9-12 | 611 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3030.
Belleville High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Passaic Ave
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4343
Belleville, NJ 07109
(973) 969-4343
Gr: 9-12 | 1,590 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #3131.
Newark School Of Global Studies
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
24 Crane Street
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5112
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 268-5112
Gr: 9-12 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3232.
American History High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
74 Montgomery St
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-7333
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 733-7333
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3333.
Newark School Of Fashion & Design
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
239 Woodside Avenue
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 327-4466
Newark, NJ 07104
(973) 327-4466
Gr: 9-12 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #3434.
Orange High School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
400 Lincoln Ave
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4050
Orange, NJ 07050
(973) 677-4050
Gr: 9-12 | 1,368 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Rank: #3535.
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
125 Sussex Ave
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 621-0060
Newark, NJ 07103
(973) 621-0060
Gr: PK-12 | 1,410 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Essex County, NJ?
The top-ranked public high schools in Essex County, NJ include Millburn High School, Science Park High School and Livingston High School.
How many public high schools are located in Essex County?
53 public high schools are located in Essex County.
What is the racial composition of students in Essex County?
Essex County public high schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the New Jersey public high schools average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Essex County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Essex County include: Kipp Cooper Norcross A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation vs. North Star Academy Charter School, Technology High School vs. Science Park High School, Nj Regional Day School - Newark vs. John F. Kennedy School
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