The 30 worst rated schools in NJ — including one so bad it’s being shut down

📚 The state's Annual School Performance Reports are based on the 2021-2022 year

📚 Each school received scores partly based on language arts, math and attendance

📚 The 'worst' 30 NJ schools are in 7 counties

TRENTON – As students and educators face the uphill battle of learning loss and other challenges coming off the COVID-19 health crisis, the state has released its latest education “report cards” for schools.

Among the state School Performance Reports for the 2021-2022 school year — student growth data remained missing due to the cancellation of tests in the 2019- 2020 and 2021-2022 school years.

The performance reports include indicators for language arts and mathematics results, graduation rates and chronic absenteeism.

Based on the rankings, the 30 worst performing schools stretch across seven counties — Essex and Camden each have seven school ranked among the worst rated based on 2021-2022 scores, followed by Passaic with six schools.

The worst performing school on the list — a charter school — has been ordered by the state Department of Education to shut down next month. 

Four charter schools around the state ranked among the 30 worst-performing schools last year — while there was one charter school among the best-rated schools.

When asked in late April if they had any reaction to the current performance reports, Camden school officials said the district was still reviewing and analyzing the data.

Student demographics and graduation and postsecondary rates are among detailed information — as well as participation and performance on SAT, PSAT, and ACT tests; participation in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment courses that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school — found within the full NJDOE report.

"The purpose of New Jersey Department of Education’s annual School Performance Reports is to serve as one important tool, containing a wealth of information, that can be used transparently to identify successes and challenges, engage in dialogue, and work collectively toward improving the education and supports provided to all students," a spokesperson for the department said in a written response to New Jersey 101.5.

Here are the lowest-rated 30 schools statewide, based on 2021-2022 NJ School Performance Reports.

Freedom Prep Charter School has appealed its shuttering.

"Freedom Prep’s academic performance on statewide assessments throughout the charter term confirms that the school is not preparing students for 'success in the college of their choice' as described in the school’s approved mission," Education Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan told the charter's leadership in February.

Based on the same scores, these 30 NJ schools ranked the best in performance:

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com

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