Priority and Focus Schools

Find the list of Priority and Focus Schools here

Definition of Priority, Focus or Reward Status:

New Jersey's ESEA waiver application includes a detailed methodology for identifying Priority, Focus, and Reward Schools. Below is a short definition of each category:

Priority Schools

A Priority School is a school that has been identified as among the lowest-performing five percent of Title I schools in the state over the past three years, or any non-Title I school that would otherwise have met the same criteria.

Focus Schools

Focus Schools comprise about 10% of schools with the overall lowest subgroup performance, a graduation rate below 75% and the widest gaps in achievement between different subgroups of students.  Focus Schools receive targeted and tailored solutions to meet the school's unique needs.

Reward Schools

A Reward School is a school high proficiency levels or high levels of growth, including progress toward closing the achievement gap.  This allows for a range of schools from across the state to attain Reward status, regardless of their absolute starting point.

The Data