Highland Park High School

Summary:

Highland Park High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12 in Highland Park, New Jersey, with a student population of 494. The school is part of the Highland Park Boro School District, which is ranked 383 out of 613 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Academically, Highland Park High School has shown fluctuating performance, ranking as high as 93rd out of 406 high schools in 2014-2015 (4-star rating) but dropping to 228th out of 422 high schools in 2022-2023 (2-star rating). The school excels in English Language Arts, with 68.5% of 9th-grade students proficient or better in 2023-2024, compared to the state average of 58.1%. However, the school struggles in mathematics, with only 16.1% of 9th-grade students proficient or better in Algebra I, below the state average of 22.9%. The school's performance for English Language Learners and Special Education students is particularly noteworthy, ranking 39th and 58th out of 344 and 349 high schools, respectively, in 2021-2022.

Compared to nearby schools, South River High School and North Brunswick Township High School generally perform worse than Highland Park High School, while East Brunswick High School and Edison High School outperform it. The nearby Edison Academy Magnet School also outperforms Highland Park High School in several subject areas, particularly in Algebra II. Additionally, Highland Park High School has experienced fluctuations in its chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 15.2% to 28.9% in recent years, which may impact student learning and achievement.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 102 North Fifth Avenue
       Highland Park, NJ  08904


(732) 572-2400

District: Highland Park Boro School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
184th of 426 New Jersey High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,520 Help


Feeder schools for Highland Park High School:

Elementary:    Bartle Elementary School
    Irving Primary School
Middle:    Highland Park Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.6 Help
Number of students:  518

Racial breakdown:

White:
37.8%
Hispanic:
26.6%
Asian:
19.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highland Park High School ranks better than 56.8% of high schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 45.93. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Highland Park High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Highland Park High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (37.8%), Hispanic (26.6%), Asian (19.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 36.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Park High School is 12.6. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highland Park High School employs 41 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Park High School is $12,520.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highland Park High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Park High School 184th of 426 New Jersey public high schools. (See Highland Park High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Highland Park Boro School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Park Boro School District 383rd of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Highland Park High School

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Rank History for all students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 63.09 149th 343 56.6%
2004 76.23 74th 348 78.7%
2005 61.00 174th 351 50.4%
2006 47.58 246th 357 31.1%
2007 63.18 164th 361 54.6%
2008 71.55 114th 359 68.2%
2009 58.69 206th 370 44.3%
2010 52.43 238th 371 35.8%
2011 62.26 183rd 378 51.6%
2012 40.76 281st 388 27.6%
2013 66.10 163rd 396 58.8%
2014 57.64 230th 411 44.0%
2015 59.38 93rd 406 77.1%
2016 52.14 143rd 409 65.0%
2017 52.97 149th 411 63.7%
2018 46.21 179th 415 56.9%
2019 40.44 219th 416 47.4%
2021 60.02 106th 405 73.8%
2022 41.58 199th 415 52.0%
2023 37.34 228th 422 46.0%
2024 45.93 184th 426 56.8%
See the entire list of New Jersey High School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 54.28 39th 161 75.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.41 96th 355 73.0%
2019 40.98 171st 349 51.0%
2021 50.88 128th 333 61.6%
2022 66.40 58th 344 83.1%
2023 23.25 284th 339 16.2%
2024 36.97 190th 349 45.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.54 121st 345 64.9%
2019 34.15 223rd 347 35.7%
2021 42.28 176th 326 46.0%
2022 42.74 146th 324 54.9%
2023 62.83 56th 344 83.7%
2024 38.00 187th 350 46.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.30 163rd 403 59.6%
2019 43.57 206th 408 49.5%
2021 57.20 128th 402 68.2%
2022 38.62 207th 414 50.0%
2023 38.50 215th 416 48.3%
2024 39.28 209th 416 49.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.11 145th 405 64.2%
2019 43.39 191st 407 53.1%
2021 55.42 127th 402 68.4%
2022 56.99 110th 410 73.2%
2023 54.04 129th 414 68.8%
2024 44.46 181st 415 56.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.64 117th 198 40.9%
2019 46.35 105th 191 45.0%
2021 54.83 62nd 165 62.4%
2022 38.73 107th 175 38.9%
2023 56.66 67th 172 61.0%
2024 31.39 126th 174 27.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.90 204th 266 23.3%
2019 31.63 170th 254 33.1%
2023 18.40 233rd 250 6.8%
2024 38.01 139th 260 46.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.66 268th 368 27.2%
2019 24.73 288th 364 20.9%
2021 28.00 290th 374 22.5%
2022 37.50 211th 382 44.8%
2023 36.95 205th 385 46.8%
2024 56.99 118th 394 70.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highland Park High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.07 58th 340 82.9%
2019 54.45 114th 339 66.4%
2021 81.07 20th 336 94.0%
2022 53.59 103rd 335 69.3%
2023 45.96 141st 335 57.9%
2024 64.61 76th 337 77.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Highland Park High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Highland Park High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 466 114 34 35 0 n/a n/a 0 649
1989 416 107 33 31 0 n/a n/a 0 587
1990 421 108 43 43 0 n/a n/a 0 615
1991 393 112 47 60 0 n/a n/a 0 612
1992 378 102 54 61 0 n/a n/a 0 595
1993 394 107 66 71 0 n/a n/a 0 638
1994 373 109 68 72 0 n/a n/a 0 622
1995 361 124 56 71 1 n/a n/a 0 613
1996 361 124 56 71 1 n/a n/a 0 613
1998 376 100 63 91 0 n/a n/a 0 630
1999 364 102 69 74 0 n/a n/a 0 609
2000 391 103 77 89 1 n/a n/a -1 660
2001 373 104 87 89 0 n/a n/a 0 653
2002 373 105 124 91 0 n/a n/a 0 693
2003 373 105 124 91 0 n/a n/a 0 693
2004 378 111 120 81 0 n/a n/a 0 690
2005 354 119 115 100 0 n/a n/a 0 688
2006 232 78 74 70 0 n/a n/a 0 454
2007 215 74 77 77 0 n/a n/a 0 443
2008 194 79 73 73 0 n/a n/a 0 419
2009 182 61 66 65 0 0 14 0 388
2010 195 70 62 74 0 0 10 0 411
2011 198 66 66 69 1 0 13 0 413
2012 183 60 71 83 1 0 15 0 413
2013 194 54 93 92 0 1 15 0 449
2014 200 53 94 93 0 0 20 0 460
2015 197 52 99 107 0 0 19 0 474
2016 202 49 111 117 0 0 18 0 497
2017 206 47 111 107 0 0 22 0 493
2018 194 47 108 104 0 1 21 0 475
2019 187 52 106 102 1 1 23 0 472
2020 173 42 92 109 0 1 21 0 438
2021 171 52 104 123 0 2 23 2 477
2022 187 50 102 117 0 1 29 2 488
2023 191 50 93 132 0 1 25 2 494
2024 196 51 100 138 2 1 28 2 518

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Highland Park High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 649 54.0 12.0 n/a
1989 587 45.0 13.0 n/a
1990 615 44.0 13.9 2.4
1991 612 49.0 12.4 6.2
1992 595 53.0 11.2 9.1
1993 638 54.2 11.8 13.2
1994 622 57.6 10.8 13.3
1995 613 53.8 11.4 19.4
1996 613 53.8 11.4 19.4
1998 630 53.6 11.8 17.9
1999 609 51.6 11.8 16.9
2000 660 52.0 12.7 21.3
2001 653 53.3 12.3 24.7
2002 693 53.8 12.9 26.3
2003 693 53.8 12.9 26.3
2004 690 55.0 12.5 24.3
2005 688 55.6 12.4 n/a
2006 454 35.4 12.8 21.8
2007 443 37.0 12.0 22.3
2008 419 30.0 14.0 27.7
2009 388 37.4 8.3 28.1
2010 411 26.0 15.8 23.6
2011 413 27.4 15.0 22.8
2012 413 35.6 11.5 32.4
2013 449 33.6 13.3 32.5
2014 460 35.4 12.9 33
2015 474 36.0 13.1 33.3
2016 497 41.0 12.1 32.6
2017 493 42.0 11.7 34.5
2018 475 41.2 11.5 34.7
2019 472 41.2 11.4 32
2020 438 44.3 9.8 29.5
2021 477 42.8 11.1 33.8
2022 488 44.0 11.0 29.1
2023 494 43.0 11.4 37.4
2024 518 41.0 12.6 36.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Highland Park High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 649 54.0 12.0 n/a
1989 587 45.0 13.0 n/a
1990 615 44.0 13.9 2.4
1991 612 49.0 12.4 6.2
1992 595 53.0 11.2 9.1
1993 638 54.2 11.8 13.2
1994 622 57.6 10.8 13.3
1995 613 53.8 11.4 19.4
1996 613 53.8 11.4 19.4
1998 630 53.6 11.8 17.9
1999 609 51.6 11.8 16.9
2000 660 52.0 12.7 21.3
2001 653 53.3 12.3 24.7
2002 693 53.8 12.9 26.3
2003 693 53.8 12.9 26.3
2004 690 55.0 12.5 24.3
2005 688 55.6 12.4 n/a
2006 454 35.4 12.8 21.8
2007 443 37.0 12.0 22.3
2008 419 30.0 14.0 27.7
2009 388 37.4 8.3 28.1
2010 411 26.0 15.8 23.6
2011 413 27.4 15.0 22.8
2012 413 35.6 11.5 32.4
2013 449 33.6 13.3 32.5
2014 460 35.4 12.9 33
2015 474 36.0 13.1 33.3
2016 497 41.0 12.1 32.6
2017 493 42.0 11.7 34.5
2018 475 41.2 11.5 34.7
2019 472 41.2 11.4 32
2020 438 44.3 9.8 29.5
2021 477 42.8 11.1 33.8
2022 488 44.0 11.0 29.1
2023 494 43.0 11.4 37.4
2024 518 41.0 12.6 36.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highland Park High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $784 (6.3%) $11,736 (93.7%) $12,520

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Park High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 219th of 416 High schoolsRanks 228th of 422 High schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park High School)54.950.4
 4.5%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Boro School District)54.450.4
 4%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)55.952.1
 3.8%
9th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park High School)9.813.7
 3.9%
   9th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park Boro School District)9.713.7
 4%
   9th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)27.219.2
 8%
9th Grade Geometry (Highland Park High School)35.722.2
 13.5%
   9th Grade Geometry (Highland Park Boro School District)35.722.2
 13.5%
   9th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)59.150
 9.1%
9th Grade Algebra II (Highland Park High School)90.972.4
 18.5%
   9th Grade Algebra II (Highland Park Boro School District)90.972.4
 18.5%
   9th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)77.665.8
 11.8%
10th Grade Geometry (Highland Park High School)4.83.9
 0.9%
   10th Grade Geometry (Highland Park Boro School District)4.83.9
 0.9%
   10th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)15.37.7
 7.6%
10th Grade Algebra II (Highland Park High School)61.317.6
 43.7%
   10th Grade Algebra II (Highland Park Boro School District)61.317.6
 43.7%
   10th Grade Algebra II (New Jersey)50.832.9
 17.9%
End of Course Algebra I (Highland Park High School)10.112.5
 2.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (Highland Park Boro School District)33.331.8
 1.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Highland Park High School)17.110.3
 6.8%
   End of Course Geometry (Highland Park Boro School District)45.321.5
 23.8%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%
End of Course Algebra II (Highland Park High School)73.552.1
 21.4%
   End of Course Algebra II (Highland Park Boro School District)73.552.1
 21.4%
   End of Course Algebra II (New Jersey)56.361.7
 5.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students472494
 4.7%
African American5250
 3.8%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian10693
 12.3%
Hispanic102132
 29.4%
Pacific Islander11
White187191
 2.1%
Two or More Races2325
 8.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients32%37.4%
 5.5%


Schools Near Highland Park High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Park High School

Highland Park High School ranks 184th of 426 New Jersey high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students at Highland Park High School are 38% White, 27% Hispanic, 19% Asian, 10% African American, 5% Two or more races.

Highland Park High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bartle Elementary School
Elementary : Irving Primary School
Middle : Highland Park Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 518 students attended Highland Park High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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