Essex County Schools & Education
Essex County, New Jersey
School Score
68/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 91.4%
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,098
National avg $13,239
State avg $13,088
School Score
68/100
Higher = better
State avg 80/100
State School Rank
#17
of 21 counties (1 = best)
Explore Essex County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in Essex County, New Jersey
A Massive and Complex School System
Essex County manages one of New Jersey's largest student bodies, with 139,500 pupils attending 246 public schools. This system is divided into 43 districts and includes 155 elementary schools and 41 high schools.
Performance and Resource Management
The county graduation rate is 88.2%, outstripping the national 87.0% average despite the challenges of a large urban population. Schools operate on an average per-pupil expenditure of $12,098, which is lower than the New Jersey state average of $13,088.
Urban Leaders and Charter Giants
Newark Public School District is the largest in the state, serving 37,662 students across 63 schools. Essex is also a hub for charter education, with 19 charter schools including North Star Academy, which alone serves over 6,300 students.
Urban Hubs Meet Suburban Campuses
The county features a sharp split between 85 city schools and 161 suburban schools, offering vastly different educational environments. While the average school size is 579, flagship campuses like East Side High and West Orange High enroll over 2,100 students each.
Navigating Choice in an Educational Hub
With a wide range of performance across its 43 districts, Essex County offers diverse options for every homebuyer. From established suburban districts like Livingston to innovative charters in Newark, school quality is a central pillar of the local housing market.
School Overview
Total Schools
246
in Essex County
Total Enrollment
139,500
students
School Districts
43
districts
Charter Schools
19
8% of total
School Type Breakdown
43 School Districts in Essex County
Newark Public School District
East Orange School District
Irvington Public School District
West Orange Public Schools
South Orange-Maplewood School District
North Star Academy Charter School
Livingston Board of Education School District
Bloomfield Township School District
Montclair Public School District
TEAM Academy Charter School
246 Public Schools in Essex County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Star Academy Charter School | North Star Academy Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 6,352 |
| TEAM Academy Charter School | TEAM Academy Charter School | KG–12 | Charter | 6,096 |
| East Side High School | Newark Public School District | 9–12 | High | 2,255 |
| West Orange High School | West Orange Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 2,151 |
| Livingston High School | Livingston Board of Education School District | 9–12 | High | 2,066 |
| Bloomfield High School | Bloomfield Township School District | 9–12 | High | 2,029 |
| Great Oaks Legacy Charter School | Great Oaks Legacy Charter School | PK–12 | Charter | 2,012 |
| Montclair High School | Montclair Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,968 |
| Columbia High School | South Orange-Maplewood School District | 9–12 | High | 1,930 |
| East Orange Campus High School | East Orange School District | 9–12 | High | 1,748 |
| Barringer High School | Newark Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,734 |
| Irvington High School | Irvington Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,684 |
| Belleville High School | Belleville Public School District | 9–12 | High | 1,499 |
| Marion P. Thomas Charter School | Marion P. Thomas Charter School | PK–12 | Charter | 1,425 |
| Millburn High School | Millburn Township School District | 9–12 | High | 1,378 |
| Orange High School | ORANGE BOARD OF EDUCATION School District | 9–12 | High | 1,265 |
| Ann Street School | Newark Public School District | KG–8 | Primary | 1,200 |
| Lafayette Street School | Newark Public School District | PK–8 | Primary | 1,180 |
| Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. School of Technology | Essex County Schools of Technology | 9–12 | Vocational | 1,154 |
| Millburn Middle School | Millburn Township School District | 6–8 | Middle | 1,133 |
Essex County Schools of Technology
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$12,098
State avg $13,088
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Essex County, New Jersey — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Essex County, New Jersey?
Essex County manages one of New Jersey's largest student bodies, with 139,500 pupils attending 246 public schools. This system is divided into 43 districts and includes 155 elementary schools and 41 high schools.
How do schools in Essex County perform academically?
The county graduation rate is 88.2%, outstripping the national 87.0% average despite the challenges of a large urban population. Schools operate on an average per-pupil expenditure of $12,098, which is lower than the New Jersey state average of $13,088.
What are the major school districts in Essex County, New Jersey?
Newark Public School District is the largest in the state, serving 37,662 students across 63 schools. Essex is also a hub for charter education, with 19 charter schools including North Star Academy, which alone serves over 6,300 students.
What is the school experience like in Essex County?
The county features a sharp split between 85 city schools and 161 suburban schools, offering vastly different educational environments. While the average school size is 579, flagship campuses like East Side High and West Orange High enroll over 2,100 students each.
How can I find homes near good schools in Essex County, New Jersey?
With a wide range of performance across its 43 districts, Essex County offers diverse options for every homebuyer. From established suburban districts like Livingston to innovative charters in Newark, school quality is a central pillar of the local housing market.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.