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 2008–2009 school year.
Serving 240 students in grades 9-12, Academy For Performing Arts ranks in the top 10% of all schools in New Jersey for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 65-69% (which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 36%). 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 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 62% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Vocational school
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 240 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 58%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in NJ)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 65-69% (Top 20%)
- 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
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
Academy For Performing Arts's student population of 240 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 15 teachers has grown by 7% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
240 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
15 teachers
Year Founded
2008
Colors
White, Black, Silver
School Rankings
Academy For Performing Arts ranks within the top 10% of all 2,201 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
#119 out of 2201 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
36%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
90-94%
49%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-79%
23%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
11:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
4%
10%
Hispanic
32%
34%
Black
17%
15%
White
42%
38%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
85%
Eligible for Free Lunch
3%
32%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Academy For Performing Arts's ranking?
Academy For Performing Arts is ranked #119 out of 2,201 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% 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?
65-69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 36% 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?
240 students attend Academy For Performing Arts.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Academy For Performing Arts students are White, 32% of students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Black, 4% 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
1 2/12/2021
I am absolutely disappointed in this school and their inability to truly care for their students. Someone very close to me, who, in my opinion should be considered the most valuable addition to any school, was betrayed and disrespected in the deepest way by the staff and the entire organization. She was severely injured on the premises, during class, with an injury that led her to believe that she would never walk again. I will not explain the entire situation, but the school ensured that she feel as though this was HER fault and simply refused to give her an apology. AN APOLOGY?! An injury that will forever affect both physically and mentally this absolute angel of a girl who supplies nothing, but joy to everyone around her. I am disgusted in the teachers who violated their role as advocates and the organization who made sure their student felt less than. If I could give zero stars, I would.
Review Academy For Performing Arts. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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