Best Public Schools in Zip Code 07055

The 07055 zip code of Passaic, New Jersey is home to 18 schools, including 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 4 high schools, all part of the Passaic City School District. While a few standout schools like Passaic Gifted and Talented Academy School No. 20 and Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering demonstrate higher academic performance, the majority of schools in this area face significant challenges, including low test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and serving a population with high economic disadvantage.

The data reveals a concerning achievement gap between the schools in the 07055 zip code and the state averages. For example, at Passaic High School No. 12, only 17% of 9th graders are proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 58.1%. Chronic absenteeism rates across all schools are also significantly higher than the state average, at 16.6%, which likely contributes to the low academic performance. Additionally, over 99% of students in these schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage that can impact student learning.

While a few schools, like Passaic Gifted and Talented Academy School No. 20 and Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering, are able to achieve higher levels of performance, the majority of schools in the 07055 zip code show little to no improvement in test scores over the past few years. Addressing the significant challenges faced by students in this area will require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach from the Passaic City School District and community stakeholders.