The top reported proficiency rate is 53% in English language arts. The lowest is 13% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Pride Academy Charter School District
Pride Academy Charter School District operates a single school serving grades five through eight in Essex County, New Jersey. Because the district encompasses only a charter middle school, the data available is focused on that specific grade band and setting.
The district is small, with a total enrollment that reflects a tightly contained grade structure. The student body is predominantly Black, with a much smaller share of Hispanic students, and no White or Asian students enrolled according to the reported data. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not provided. A parent considering this school would want to ask the school directly about the scope of its support services and special education offerings.
On state assessments, reading proficiency is a relative strength, particularly as students advance through the school. Proficiency rates in English language arts rise steadily from grade five through grade eight, with the eighth-grade performance notably stronger. Math scores show more variation; seventh-grade math stands out as a strong point, while fifth, sixth, and eighth-grade math proficiency rates are lower. Science results, available for grades five and eight, are low, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the science curriculum is structured and what interventions are available.
Because this is a middle school only, there is no graduation rate to report, and the district does not offer high school pathways, AP courses, or career and technical programs. The academic program is a straight middle school curriculum.
The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is below the midpoint among Essex County’s districts, which is a positive sign for regular attendance. Per-pupil current spending falls in the lower range when compared with other Essex County districts, a figure that is typical for a charter school operation that may not have the same facility and overhead costs as a traditional district.
The charter was renewed by the New Jersey Department of Education for a five-year term running through the 2026-2027 school year, which provides families with some assurance of stability. In a publicly reported decision from early 2020, the state also approved an enrollment increase, expanding access for families in East Orange, Orange, and Newark who are seeking a charter middle school option. This means the school draws from a multi-city area, and the commute and admissions process are factors families should clarify directly.
The district’s overall proficiency index falls below the midpoint among Essex County’s districts, placing it in a lower tier on this combined measure. There is no graduation rate because the school does not serve high school grades, and no state testing data in earlier grades because the school starts at grade five. The narrative here is of a small single-site district with a clear academic arc. Reading skills build well through the middle years, while math and science are areas where the school’s results are more uneven. For a family in East Orange, Orange, or Newark looking for a charter middle school with a manageable size and a renewal that signals continued operation, the school is a straightforward option to investigate. The missing details on special populations and student support services are the questions any parent should lead with.
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