The top reported proficiency rate is 86% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering
Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering is a regular public school serving grades six through twelve within the Passaic City School District. The school’s name signals its focus, and it operates as a district-run program rather than a charter or magnet. Families considering this school should understand it as an academic pathway that delivers notably strong English language arts results alongside a more mixed picture in math and science, set within a densely populated urban environment where nearly every student comes from a low-income household.
The academic data available covers the most recent school year and presents a clear asymmetry. In English language arts, the school posts very high proficiency rates across the tested grades. Results in grade six and grade seven are both at levels that would be considered strong in any context, and even the lower grade eight result remains well above the district and state averages. This pattern suggests that the school’s instructional approach in literacy is effective, and a family focused on reading and writing development would find a lot to like here.
Math proficiency is more moderate. Grade six and grade seven results sit above the midpoint, but they are not at the same level as the English scores. This is a common pattern in many schools, but it is worth noting that the gap between the two subjects is unusually wide here. Science proficiency, measured in grade eight, is low. A parent looking at these results may want to ask the school directly about how it supports students in science and what changes might be underway. The comparison of overall proficiency across tested subjects relative to other districts in Passaic County places this school in the top quartile, which is a strong position.
The school’s enrollment is spread across the middle and high school grades, with the upper grades carrying larger sections than the lower ones. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a very small white population, a modest Asian cohort, and even smaller representation from other groups. Every student enrolled qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a striking data point and reflects the economic reality of the surrounding community. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the record, so a family with a child in either category should confirm directly with the school how those populations are served and what supports exist.
Passaic itself is a dense, compact urban city with a deep industrial history, a growing Orthodox Jewish community, and a commercial corridor along Main Avenue. The city is located roughly ten miles from New York City, and its street grid and density create a walkable urban fabric. Housing values in the area are moderate relative to the broader region, but affordability remains a challenge for many residents. The school sits at 291 Lafayette Avenue, within the city’s residential and civic fabric.
No graduation rate was included in the data, and the reason is not specified in the record. Since the school serves grades six through twelve, a graduation rate should exist, and its absence here may be a data gap rather than a reflection on the school. A parent should request this figure directly from the school or the district. Chronic absenteeism data was also not available.
The district brief from the web research did not return specific details about recent referendums or major policy changes, so that dimension is absent from this account. The school’s website and the district office would be the appropriate places to check for budget cycles, facility plans, or programming updates.
In sum, Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering presents a strong English language arts program, solid but not standout math performance, and a science result that merits a closer look. It serves a population that is economically homogenous and almost entirely Hispanic, and it operates within a dense urban setting with a long history and an active commercial life. The school is a district public school with no special charter or magnet status, and its academic profile, anchored by high literacy scores, places it well above most of its county peers in overall performance. A family that values a strong reading and writing foundation and is comfortable with an urban, high-density environment will find this school a compelling option. The low science scores and the missing data on special populations and graduation rate are the spots a careful parent will want to investigate further.
See more original research from School Decision →