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Newark Unified

Below Average2024–25 data8 schools · avg 38.1/100

Newark Unified has 8 ranked schools across elementary, middle and high levels with an average Scope Score of 38.1/100 — 5.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. The highest-scoring school is Newark Memorial High at 60/100, where 16.3% of students exceed the state standard. The district spends $12,659 per student (below the state average of $14,815). Chronic absenteeism averages 29.6%, above the state average. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025 and NCES fiscal data, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
38.1
State avg: 43.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
48.4
11.4 – 59.7
Avg Exceeded %
19.0%
State avg: 21.6%
Chronic Absenteeism
29.6%
State avg: 18.1%
Schools Ranked
8
With Scope Scores
LevelAvg ScoreSchoolsExceededAbsent
ElementaryDeveloping
38.9/100
523.1%32.1%
MiddleDeveloping
39.1/100
120.4%17.3%
HighDeveloping
35.5/100
28.1%29.5%

K–12 pipeline

The typical school path in Newark Unified, top-scoring shown first.

Elementary
38.9
avg score · 5 schools
+2 more elementary schools
Middle
39.1
avg score · 1 school
Newark Middle
Developing
39/100
High
35.5
avg score · 2 schools
Bridgepoint High
Needs Support
11/100

District Analysis

Strongest level: Newark Unified's middle schools lead the district with an average Scope Score of 39.1.

Growth story: District-wide elementary growth averages -3.3pp (state avg: -3.0pp), a negative trend that warrants attention.

Consistency: Score range of 48.4 points — showing significant variation between schools.

Absenteeism: District chronic absenteeism averages 29.6%, 11.5pp below the state average of 18.1%.

Suspensions: District suspension rate averages 3.1%, near the state average of 1.7%.

Top school: Newark Memorial High leads the district at 60 with 16.3% exceeding standard.

How we score · Scope Score methodology

Student demographics

Hispanic
53.1%
White
10.3%
Asian
15.2%
Black
2.2%
Other
19.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
50%
Economic need indicator · district avg

District averages · California Department of Education enrollment data

District Funding

Newark Unified spends $12,659 per student in current expenditures — $2,156 below the state average of $14,815.

Per-Pupil Spending
$12,659
State avg: $14,815
District Enrollment
5,507
Students for funding calc
2016–2020 Trend
↑ 6.6%
$11,877 → $12,659
Spending Efficiency
3.01
Scope Score per $1K spent
Spending Breakdown
Instruction 58%Support 39%Other 3%
NCES F-33 Finance · District-level data — not school-specific

Data source: NCES Common Core of Data, Fiscal Survey (F-33) · 2019–2020

Teacher compensation

Salary Range
$76,368–$132,475
District schedule · CA median ~$98K
Teaching Staff
201
Full-time equivalent teachers

CDE Form J-90 salary schedule · 2024–25

Elementary Schools (5)

Newark Unified has 5 ranked elementary schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.9 — 4.8 points below the state average of 43.8.

Growth averages -3.3pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring elementary school is Birch Grove Intermediate with a Scope Score of 51 and 35.0% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Birch Grove Intermediate
Newark Unified Building Momentum
35.0%Solid
51/100
2Lincoln Elementary
Newark Unified Building Momentum
30.2%Solid
51/100
3John F. Kennedy Elementary
Newark Unified Building Momentum
29.7%Developing
47/100
4Coyote Hills Elementary
Newark Unified Building Momentum
16.6%Developing
31/100
5August Schilling Elementary
Newark Unified Building Momentum
4.1%Needs Support
16/100

Middle Schools (1)

Newark Unified has 1 ranked middle schools averaging a Scope Score of 39.1 — 1.3 points near the state average of 40.5.

Growth averages -12.6pp district-wide — a negative trend worth examining.

The highest-scoring middle school is Newark Middle with a Scope Score of 39 and 20.4% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Newark Middle
Newark Unified Building Momentum
20.4%Developing
39/100

High Schools (2)

Newark Unified has 2 ranked high schools averaging a Scope Score of 35.5 — 11.9 points below the state average of 47.5.

The highest-scoring high school is Newark Memorial High with a Scope Score of 60 and 16.3% exceeding standard.

#SchoolExceededScore
1Newark Memorial High
Newark Unified Building Momentum
16.3%Solid
60/100
2Bridgepoint High
Newark Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
11/100

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

What Scope Scores can't tell you about Newark Unified

  • Class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality
  • Quality of arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs
  • Teacher experience, turnover, and professional development
  • Campus safety, bullying climate, and social-emotional support
  • Parent and community engagement levels
  • Quality of special education and gifted programs
  • How resources are distributed across schools within the district

Scope Scores measure academic performance and school climate using public data. They are one lens among many. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Is Newark Unified a good school district?
Newark Unified has 8 ranked schools averaging a Scope Score of 38.1/100, which is 5.7 points below the California state average of 43.8. 19.0% of students exceed the state standard on average. The Scope Score measures academic performance and school climate across six dimensions. Data source: CDE CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best school in Newark Unified?
The highest-scoring school in Newark Unified is Newark Memorial High with a Scope Score of 60/100 and 16.3% exceeding standard. See methodology.
How much does Newark Unified spend per student?
Newark Unified spends $12,659 per student in current expenditures. The state average is $14,815. Spending data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data Fiscal Survey (F-33). Higher spending does not automatically mean better outcomes — the Scope Score measures what happens in the classroom regardless of budget.
What is the teacher salary range in Newark Unified?
Teacher salaries in Newark Unified range from $76,368–$132,475 based on the district's salary schedule (CDE Form J-90). The California statewide median teacher salary is approximately $98,000.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on six dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade-level growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, and ELPAC English Learner proficiency. Full methodology and weights.