James J Ferris High School

Located at 35 COLGATE ST, in JERSEY CITY, New Jersey, James J Ferris High School is a mid-sized four-year high school that educates 1,364 students (grades 9 through 12), overseen by Jersey City Public Schools. That puts it 47% above the typical public school in New Jersey, which averages around 929 students.

Jersey City Public Schools runs 39 schools in total, collectively educating 24,151 students. James J Ferris High School is one of those campuses.

In terms of who attends, James J Ferris High School records that Hispanic students make up the majority at 55%. Other groups include 21% Black, 11% Asian, 11% White. By comparison, Hudson County as a whole is about 41% Hispanic, so the school skews visibly more Hispanic than its surroundings.

On the resource side, The school employs 100 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 13.7:1. The state averages around 12.7:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical. About 72% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

With demographic context factored in, James J Ferris High School tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 26.7% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 20.1%.

Across the wider county, Hudson County reports that median household earnings sit near $91,795, roughly 49% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Across Hudson County's 130 public schools (combined enrollment of about 86,216 students), James J Ferris High School is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Dr. Michael Conti School, roughly 0.2 miles away. Counting just inside five miles, 8 other public schools cluster around James J Ferris High School. Among the 9 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), James J Ferris High School ranks 8th on composite proficiency, below the local average of 52.4%.

James J Ferris High School operates from an inner-city location.

Five-year trend. James J Ferris High School's enrollment has ticked up 3% since 2018, when it stood at 1,327 (now 1,364). Class-load math has grew: from 12.6:1 in 2018 to 13.7:1 in 2025.

Inside the community feed, recent activity here tends to focus on pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.