Controversial State Report Grades West Orange Schools

WEST ORANGE, NJ — For the second year in a row, New Jersey has released its controversial rating system that graded every school on a 1-100 scale — a system educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools.

The new ratings, which were released Wednesday, were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the controversial No Child Left Behind Act.

The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

>> See the entire list here: Every NJ School Graded In Newly Released State Report

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average. Schools that finish in the top 20 percent are considered above average.

Here's how West Orange's schools did in the latest round of scoring:

• ST. CLOUD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 90.34
• HAZEL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 73.44
• MOUNT PLEASANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 68.30
• REDWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 67.56
• KELLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 62.17
• GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 62.00
• WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX
• LIBERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 48.35
• WEST ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 44.16
• EDISON MIDDLE SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 40.13
• ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL, WEST ORANGE TOWN, ESSEX 28.02

MORE ABOUT THE SCORES

ESSA was enacted in 2015, and it was intended to "build on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country," according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, has said a single number or letter grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

On the other hand, New Jersey PTA president Rose Acerra has said "parents now have more information than ever before."

"They have the tools to ask questions of their teachers and other stakeholders such as the superintendent, principal, and Board of Education," she said.

This article contains reporting by Tom Davis, Patch national staff

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com