The Union County Academy for Performing Arts is a full-time four-year public magnet high school located in Scotch Plains, in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Union County Vocational Technical Schools Campus. Its first year was the 2008???009 school year.
Serving 242 students in grades 9-12, Academy For Performing Arts ranks in the top 20% of all schools in New Jersey for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-59% (which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 90-94% (which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the New Jersey state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 57% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Vocational school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 242 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 57%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Btm 50% in NJ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 40-59% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 90-94% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-79% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Academy For Performing Arts ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
Academy For Performing Arts's student population of 242 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 15 teachers has grown by 25% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
242 students
Total Classroom Teachers
15 teachers
Year Founded
2008
Colors
White, Black, Silver
School Calendar
School Rankings
Academy For Performing Arts ranks within the top 20% of all 2,184 schools in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Academy For Performing Arts is 0.70, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#381 out of 2184 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
40-59%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-79%
23%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
11:1
Asian
5%
11%
Hispanic
31%
35%
Black
16%
14%
White
43%
37%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
85%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)9.5%
16.7%
Eligible for Free Lunch
5%
38%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Academy For Performing Arts's ranking?
Academy For Performing Arts is ranked #381 out of 2,184 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey.
What schools are Academy For Performing Arts often compared to?
Academy For Performing Artsis often viewed alongside schools like Academy For Information Technology, Academy For Allied Health Sciences by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% NJ state average), while 90-94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NJ state average).
What is the graduation rate of Academy For Performing Arts?
The graduation rate of Academy For Performing Arts is 90%, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 85%.
How many students attend Academy For Performing Arts?
242 students attend Academy For Performing Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
43% of Academy For Performing Arts students are White, 31% of students are Hispanic, 16% of students are Black, 5% of students are Asian, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Academy For Performing Arts?
Academy For Performing Arts has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1.
What grades does Academy For Performing Arts offer ?
Academy For Performing Arts offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Academy For Performing Arts part of?
Academy For Performing Arts is part of Union County Vocational-Technical School District.
School Reviews
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