There was a slight decrease in violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation and bullying, substance offenses and suspensions during the 2023-24 school year. Jessica Merville, director of the office of performance management in the New Jersey Department of Education, said this could be due to the department’s recent focus on mental health.

Violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation, bullying and substance offenses were still above pre-pandemic levels, but down from the previous year’s peak. Incidents shot up in the 2021-22 school year after declining significantly during the pandemic when many students were attending school online.

In-school suspensions returned to pre-pandemic levels last year, while out-of-school suspensions remained higher. Both types of suspensions were down from the previous year.

The percentage of Black students with at least one suspension was more than double the statewide rate of 4%. Economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities were also suspended at higher rates.

Search for your school

This reporting is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.