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GreatSchools Rating

First Avenue Elementary School

Public | PK-8 | 1082 students

We are best known for school tradition of excellence.
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 3 ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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9 reviews of this school


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Posted May 1, 2012

THIS IS SUCH A GREAT SCHOOL FOR MY CHILD. GREAT SCORES, GREAT TEACHERS, GREAT AREA FOR THE KIDS.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 1, 2012

EXCELLENT SCHOOL I AM A VERY PROUD PARENT TO HAVE MY SON ASSISTING 1ST AVE SCHOOL. MY CHILD COMES HOME WITH THE BEST GRADES, ALL BECAUSE THE TEACHERS TAKE THERE TIME IN HELPING MY CHILD. ALSO THIS SCHOOL AREA IS GREAT ALWAYS HAVE THE POLICE OUT THE SCHOOL TO WATCH FOR THE KIDS.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 14, 2011

I am sorry to say but this school is not great at all. The principle is rude and the teachers well I have my reservations too. My sons teacher stated that he will pass all students who show effort. I'm sorry but children should not be pass/recieve a passing grade for efford. You cannot pass the NJASK or your SATs by showing efforts. Then there is the basketball coach (very irresponsible). The music teacher discouraged my son from playing because he missed a note (my son has been playing for 3 years). Teachers do not have the patients in this school, and it seems the leadership is lacking. My son told me how the principle screamed at the teachers (in front of the students). If you don"t have money to pay for private school, you child is stuck in less than mediocre education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 13, 2011

This school is the best school my children have ever attended. The teachers are so caring and so attentive. I have to say, when I first met the principle I didn't like her, we exchanged a few words which I thought were very inappropriate coming from a principle. It's been two years and I've learned her way. She really cares for the children and their education and the whole entire staff. We have to remember, she is just ONE person in charge of so much. I think she's doing a great job and so are the rest of the staff.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2011

This School is HORRIBLE!!!! The principal lacks professional skills, and a lot of the teachers have no idea what they're doing. My daughter complains that when she asks for help with her math material, they refuse to help her. They give her attitude, and then she comes with homework and has no idea what she's doing. The principal is NO HELP!! I think it's time for a new administration and teachers that want to teach and see these students succeed!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 14, 2010

I KNOW FIRST AV, SINCE MY TWINS GIRLS STAR 2002, NOW THEY ARE IN 8th GRADE AND I NEVER HAVE ANY COMPLAINT, ALL THE TEACHERS ARE GOOD SO I HOPE THAT FIRST AV. COULD WIN.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 4, 2010

This school is horrible. Till this day my son cant read. They don't care about your children's education. Its sad to know that they laid off all these teachers and kept the bad ones. The principal actually laughed at me while I was pouring my heart to her about my concerns with son. Who to turn too.....please help!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 16, 2010

I think that the teachers do not care what becomes of the children. Of course, I only have experience pertaining to one class where my child is, so, maybe it cannot be generalized. However, my own experience is that we have struggled through this year. They do not give the children homework. Why do parents have to ask all the time that they should give homework to our children? I thought this was a good school at the beginning, but I have been truly disappointed. I wish there had been a way to have known that this school is a failure.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 18, 2004

This school is truly something special. Our school received the National Change Award and we are very proud of it. I am a student here and I've been here since Kindergarten. I'm garaduating in 6 days. I really like this school.
—Submitted by a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 67% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
27%

2010

 
 
39%

2009

 
 
46%
Math

The state average for Math was 78% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
50%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
69%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 59% in 2012.

111 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
45%

2011

 
 
44%

2010

 
 
48%

2009

 
 
49%
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2012.

111 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
67%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2012.

111 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
84%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 62% in 2012.

125 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
47%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
62%
Math

The state average for Math was 83% in 2012.

125 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
77%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 65% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
54%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

120 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
57%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 61% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
48%

2011

 
 
48%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
68%
Math

The state average for Math was 63% in 2012.

105 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
59%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
52%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

The state average for Language Arts Literacy was 82% in 2012.

108 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
79%

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 72% in 2012.

108 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
66%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
46%

2009

 
 
49%
Science

The state average for Science was 82% in 2012.

108 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
80%
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students44%
Female51%
Male38%
Black71%
Asiann/a
Hispanic40%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged46%
Non-economically disadvantaged35%
Special educationn/a
General education52%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant44%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students58%
Female65%
Male52%
Black79%
Asiann/a
Hispanic55%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged58%
Non-economically disadvantaged60%
Special educationn/a
General education69%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant58%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students45%
Female63%
Male33%
Black60%
Asiann/a
Hispanic40%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged44%
Non-economically disadvantaged53%
Special educationn/a
General education54%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant45%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students67%
Female63%
Male70%
Black60%
Asiann/a
Hispanic67%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged69%
Non-economically disadvantaged59%
Special education14%
General education78%
English language learners36%
Non-migrant67%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Science

All Students78%
Female76%
Male80%
Black80%
Asiann/a
Hispanic76%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged78%
Non-economically disadvantaged82%
Special education29%
General education87%
English language learners64%
Non-migrant78%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students48%
Female53%
Male43%
Black23%
Asiann/a
Hispanic49%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged45%
Non-economically disadvantaged59%
Special educationn/a
General education53%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant48%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students65%
Female65%
Male66%
Black69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic64%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged63%
Non-economically disadvantaged74%
Special educationn/a
General education68%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant65%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Former36%
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students57%
Female59%
Male55%
Black58%
Asiann/a
Hispanic56%
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged51%
Non-economically disadvantaged80%
Special educationn/a
General education61%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant57%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students75%
Female77%
Male73%
Black95%
Asiann/a
Hispanic71%
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged72%
Non-economically disadvantaged88%
Special educationn/a
General education81%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant75%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students48%
Female59%
Male35%
Black63%
Asiann/a
Hispanic44%
American Indiann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged48%
Non-economically disadvantaged48%
Special educationn/a
General education52%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant48%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students61%
Female61%
Male61%
Black69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic58%
American Indiann/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged61%
Non-economically disadvantaged62%
Special educationn/a
General education66%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant61%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Language Arts Literacy

All Students79%
Female83%
Male76%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic78%
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged81%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Special educationn/a
General education84%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant79%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Math

All Students66%
Female72%
Male59%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic66%
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged68%
Non-economically disadvantaged58%
Special educationn/a
General education72%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant66%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a

Science

All Students78%
Female79%
Male76%
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanic76%
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantaged79%
Non-economically disadvantaged73%
Special educationn/a
General education84%
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrant78%
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJ ASK) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in language arts literacy and math, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. The NJ ASK is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Biology I

The state average for Biology I was 59% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Biology I

All Studentsn/a
Femalen/a
Malen/a
Blackn/a
Asiann/a
Hispanicn/a
Pacific Islandern/a
Whiten/a
Other ethnicityn/a
Economically disadvantagedn/a
Non-economically disadvantagedn/a
Special educationn/a
General educationn/a
English language learnersn/a
Non-migrantn/a
Limited English Proficient Current Plus Formern/a
Limited English Proficient Formern/a
Scale: % at or above proficient

About the tests


In 2011-2012 New Jersey used the New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) to assess high school students in Biology. The New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT) is standards-based, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined by the state of New Jersey. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level on the test.

The different student groups are identified by the New Jersey Department of Education. If there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See New Jersey's state standards

Source: New Jersey Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 81% 20%
Black 13% 17%
White 4% 54%
Asian 2% 8%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Two or more races N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 87%N/A30%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 20N/A12
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher resources

Foreign languages spoken by school staff French
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Read more about programs at this school
Source: Manually entered by a school official.

Awards

Academic awards received in the past 3 years
  • Newark Public Schools Math Olympics - 1st place (2009)
  • Debate Team - 1st place (2006)
  • National School Change Award in 2003

Special education / special needs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Special education
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairments
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra

Language learning

Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered
  • Spanish
Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • French
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:25
School end time
  • 2:55
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Ms Kathy Duke-jackson
Fax number
  • (973) 268-5333

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Special education
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • Spanish
Specialized programs for specific types of special education students
  • Autism
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairments
  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Speech and language impairments
Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish

Resources

Foreign languages spoken by staff
  • French
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Basketball
Girls sports
  • Basketball

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
School leaders can update this information here.

School culture

Dress Code
  • Uniforms
Parent involvement
  • The parent liaison works closely with parent volunteers on a daily basis to assist teachers and the staff with on-going projects during the course of the year. workshops are being planned that are designed to meet the specific needs of the parents and their children.
More from this school
  • At First Avenue School, we are proud of our &#34Open Door&#34 policy and welcome all parents to become stakeholders and active participants in the school community.
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
Apply now
 

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Essex County Vocational School, Newark, NJ
Arts High School, Newark, NJ
Technology High School, Newark, NJ
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

214 First Ave
Newark, NJ 07107
Website: Click here
Phone: (973) 268-5240

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