Malcolm X Shabazz High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Newark in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, as part of the Newark Public Schools. Founded as South Side High School in 1912, the school was renamed in 1972 in memory of Malcolm X.
Serving 354 students in grades 9-12, Malcolm X Shabazz 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 proficiency in math is ≤10% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 36%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 11-19% (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: 354 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 60-64% (Btm 50% in NJ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 11-19% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤10% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Malcolm X Shabazz High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Student Attention
School Overview
Malcolm X Shabazz High School's student population of 354 students has declined by 16% over five school years.
The teacher population of 25 teachers has declined by 30% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
354 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Year Founded
1912
Colors
Black, Gold
School Rankings
Malcolm X Shabazz 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 diversity score of Malcolm X Shabazz High School is 0.39, 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.
Overall Testing Rank
#2058 out of 2201 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
11-19%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤10%
23%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
n/a
10%
Hispanic
23%
34%
Black
75%
15%
White
1%
38%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
60-64%
85%
Eligible for Free Lunch
64%
32%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malcolm X Shabazz High School's ranking?
Malcolm X Shabazz High School is ranked #2058 out of 2,201 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey.
What schools are Malcolm X Shabazz High School often compared to?
Malcolm X Shabazz High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Weequahic High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤10% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% NJ state average), while 11-19% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NJ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Malcolm X Shabazz High School?
The graduation rate of Malcolm X Shabazz High School is 60-64%, which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 85%.
How many students attend Malcolm X Shabazz High School?
354 students attend Malcolm X Shabazz High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
75% of Malcolm X Shabazz High School students are Black, 23% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Malcolm X Shabazz High School?
Malcolm X Shabazz High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1.
What grades does Malcolm X Shabazz High School offer ?
Malcolm X Shabazz High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Malcolm X Shabazz High School part of?
Malcolm X Shabazz High School is part of Newark Public School District.
In what neighborhood is Malcolm X Shabazz High School located?
Malcolm X Shabazz High School is located in the South Broad Street neighborhood of Newark, NJ. There are 1 other public schools located in South Broad Street.
School Reviews
Review Malcolm X Shabazz 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

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don鈥檛 offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.