The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 18% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gladys Nunery School
Gladys Nunery School serves students from prekindergarten through grade five in Jersey City’s Greenville neighborhood, as a regular public school within the Jersey City Public Schools district. The school enrolls a student body that is a mix of Black and Hispanic students, with a small number of White and Asian students and a very small number of multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is consistent with a high-needs population. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available records.
On state assessments, proficiency rates for Gladys Nunery School are low across the tested grades. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above sits in the range of roughly one in six to fewer than one in four, depending on the grade, with third and fourth graders performing below fifth graders. In English language arts, performance starts below a third of students proficient in grades three and four, but fifth graders reach a point where half meet the proficiency bar, a notable uptick. Science results for fifth graders show a small share reaching proficiency. When measured against other elementary schools in Hudson County, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quarter of the comparison group. This is a straightforward indicator that academic performance is an area the school and district are likely focused on improving.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to consider. Data on chronic absenteeism and discipline were not available in the source records. Information on program offerings such as art, music, or enrichment was also absent from the files.
Housing costs in Jersey City’s 07305 ZIP code are high. The typical home value places the area well above the national median, making entry into the local market expensive. Rents are also elevated, and monthly rent consumes a substantial share of income relative to typical household earnings. The ZIP code has seen a slight year-over-year dip in home values while rents have edged up slightly, a pattern that adds to the affordability challenge for families.
Jersey City itself is a dense, ethnically diverse urban city with distinct neighborhoods. The Greenville area where the school sits is one of several residential zones with its own commercial corridors. The city’s waterfront has transformed into a major banking and finance hub, and the city as a whole has experienced rapid population growth and ongoing redevelopment. Publicly reported information indicates that Jersey City Public Schools launched a district-wide initiative for the 2025-26 school year called “Mission Forward,” aimed at raising test scores, improving student behavior, and preparing students for graduation. This is the district’s stated strategic direction, and it gives a sense of the priorities families can expect the school to emphasize.
For a family considering Gladys Nunery School, the picture is straightforward. This is an urban elementary school serving a high-poverty population, where state test results are low compared to other schools in the county. The fifth-grade English language arts result is a relative bright spot and may warrant a conversation with the school about what is working in the upper grades. Families who value academic support and intervention for students who are behind may want to ask how the school addresses skill gaps, particularly in math and early literacy. The school is part of a large district that has publicly stated it is working to improve outcomes. The housing market in the area is expensive, especially for renters, which is a practical consideration for any family looking to live nearby. The school’s small enrollment for an elementary school serving seven grade levels suggests it is a neighborhood school with a contained community feel. Parents looking for a school with strong academic outcomes may find that this school does not currently deliver that, and they may want to research other options within the district or explore what specific supports the school offers students who are below grade level.
See more original research from School Decision →