New Jersey is the #11 largest school system in the United States, serving 1,355,555 students across the 2,556 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 1,356 private schools, serving 206,809 students). 87% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in New Jersey is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 49%.
The top-ranked public schools in New Jersey are Bergen County Academies, School 28, and Infinity Institute. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 63%, with the majority being Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in New Jersey (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Bergen County Academies
Vocational School
(Math: ≥99% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
200 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 343-6000
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 343-6000
Rank: #22.
School 28
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
200 Presidential Boulevard
Paterson, NJ 07522
(973) 321-0281
Paterson, NJ 07522
(973) 321-0281
Rank: #33.
Infinity Institute
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 6-12
193 Old Bergen Road
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 915-1404
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201) 915-1404
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Bergen County Technical High School - Teterboro
Vocational School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
504 Route 46 West
Teterboro, NJ 07608
(201) 343-6000
Teterboro, NJ 07608
(201) 343-6000
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Dr Ronald Mcnair High School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
123 Coles Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 418-7617
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 418-7617
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
High Technology High School
Vocational School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-8444
Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732) 842-8444
Rank: #4 - 74. - 7.
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1 Convery Boulevard
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 634-5858
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 634-5858
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Biotechnology High School
Vocational School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
5000 Kozloski Road
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-7942
Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 431-7942
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Marine Academy Of Technology And Environmental Science
Vocational School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
195 Cedar Bridge Road
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-8439
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Academy For Allied Health Sciences
Vocational School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-8288
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
(908) 889-8288
Overview
This State (NJ)
US
# Schools
2,556 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
1,355,555 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
116,382 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (NJ)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
43%
Graduation Rate
85%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
38%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.71
# American Indian Students
2,727 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
141,476 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
11%
6%
# Hispanic Students
469,173 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
35%
30%
# Black Students
191,575 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
14%
15%
# White Students
502,941 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
37%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
2,371 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
44,661 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (NJ)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$36,642 MM
Spending (24-25)
$35,142 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$27,031
Spending / Student (24-25)
$25,924
Best New Jersey Public Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in New Jersey?
The top-ranked public schools in New Jersey include Bergen County Academies, School 28, and Infinity Institute.
How many public schools are located in New Jersey?
2,556 public schools are located in New Jersey.
What percentage of students in New Jersey go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in New Jersey attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in New Jersey?
Minority enrollment in New Jersey is 63%, with the majority being Hispanic.
Which public schools in New Jersey are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in New Jersey include: J. Harvey Rodgers School vs. Aura Elementary School, Kawameeh Middle School vs. Burnet Middle School, Community Middle School vs. Thomas R Grover Middle School
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