Original Research by School Decision on Eastside High School
Eastside High School is one of the comprehensive high schools serving Paterson, New Jersey, a dense, historically industrial city that has become a major destination for Hispanic, Turkish, Arab, and South Asian immigrants. The school enrolls a very large student body for the ninth through twelfth grades. The student population is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a substantial Black minority and very small numbers of White and Asian students. A significant share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the school’s profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of support for those populations.
State testing results for Eastside High School were not reported in the data we reviewed. Because New Jersey administers statewide assessments in high school, this is a notable gap. The reasons for the missing results are not specified in the data, and a parent or guardian looking to understand academic performance would need to seek this information from the school or district directly. The comparison that places this school among other high schools relative to districts in Passaic County could not be computed for proficiency, graduation rate, or chronic absenteeism because the underlying figures were unavailable.
The school environment data, including discipline rates, course access, and staffing ratios, was also absent from the profile. This makes it difficult to assess class sizes or the breadth of Advanced Placement, dual-credit, or career and technical education offerings typically available at a large comprehensive high school. A family considering Eastside would be well served to visit, speak with administrators, and review the curriculum guide to understand what pathways are available.
Paterson itself is a city of contrasts. The area around the school sits within a dense urban fabric with active commercial corridors on Main Street and Market Street. The city’s economy has shifted from its historic mill-based manufacturing to a mix of smaller-scale industry, government employment (the city and county are major employers, as is the Paterson Public School district), and immigrant-owned businesses. Housing values in the zip code that covers the school are above the national median, and rents are substantial, reflecting the New York metro area’s general pressure. The county real estate market shows a modest increase in active listings and a low number of days on market, indicating a competitive seller’s market. A family relocating for the school should be prepared for a tight housing market and the cost of living in a major urban center.
The Paterson Public School district, which Eastside belongs to, has recently adopted a new five-year strategic plan focused on student achievement and post-graduation readiness, which will guide curriculum and programming. A new district budget was approved with the maximum allowable tax levy increase, reflecting the financial pressures the district faces. Parents should be aware that property taxes in Paterson are part of the total cost of living in the city.
Eastside High School is a very large, diverse urban high school serving one of New Jersey’s most historic and economically complex cities. The missing academic performance data is the most significant limitation for a family trying to evaluate it. For a family or student who values a large, urban, multicultural environment and is ready to engage directly with the school to fill in the gaps, Eastside may be a good fit, but the lack of public-facing test results and school environment metrics means a thorough inquiry is necessary before making a decision.
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