West Side High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school complex in Newark, in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of the Newark Public Schools. The school is operated by the Newark Public Schools and is located at 279 Chancellor Avenue.
Serving 621 students in grades 9-12, West Side 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 ≤5% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 10-14% (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: 621 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Graduation Rate: 70-74% (Btm 50% in NJ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: ≤5% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
West Side High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
West Side High School's student population of 621 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 44 teachers has declined by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
621 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
44 teachers
Year Founded
1925
Colors
White, Green
School Rankings
West Side High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,184 schools in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of West Side High School is 0.31, 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
#2145 out of 2184 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≤5%
23%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
10%
Hispanic
18%
34%
Black
81%
15%
White
1%
38%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
70-74%
85%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
32%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Total Sports Offered
9 sports
Sports
BasketballBowling
Cross CountryCross Country Running
SoccerSoftball
Track and FieldVolley Ball
Winter Track
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Debate ClubHonor Society
Humanitarian ClubPathways to College
RoboticsSki Club
Stand & DeliverStudent Council
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
School Notes
- West Side High School offers a Dual Enrollment Program (Associates Degree from Essex County College in Business Administration) and CTE Pathways.
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is West Side High School's ranking?
West Side High School is ranked #2145 out of 2,184 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey.
What schools are West Side High School often compared to?
West Side High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Union High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≤5% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% NJ state average), while 10-14% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NJ state average).
What is the graduation rate of West Side High School?
The graduation rate of West Side High School is 70-74%, which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 85%.
How many students attend West Side High School?
621 students attend West Side High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
81% of West Side High School students are Black, 18% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of West Side High School?
West Side High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1.
What grades does West Side High School offer ?
West Side High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is West Side High School part of?
West Side High School is part of Newark Public School District.
In what neighborhood is West Side High School located?
West Side High School is located in the Fairmount neighborhood of Newark, NJ. There are 3 other public schools located in Fairmount.
School Reviews
4 2/21/2022
West Side offers has college classes that my daughter can take while in school with the after-school program. She is graduating in June of 2022 with an Associates's Degree from Essex County College. I am so proud of the opportunities offered to her at West Side. She is also involved in clubs like Student Council and The Ski Club.
Review West Side 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
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
