Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy (abbreviated as AHPA) is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Elizabeth, in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, operating as part of Elizabeth Public Schools. The academy accepts students in ninth through twelfth grades in Elizabeth who have passed the requirements for enrollment. The academy is operated by the Elizabeth Board of Education. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2013.Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy , Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed February 8, 2018. The school's college-preparatory curriculum prepares students for four-year colleges and universities.
As of the 2024–25 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,015 students and 63.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 16.1:1. There were 691 students (68.1% of enrollment) eligible for free lunch and 134 (13.2% of students) eligible for reduced-cost lunch.School data for Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed January 15, 2026.
Awards, recognition and rankings The school was the 46th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 328 schools statewide according to U.S. News & World Report.Staff. "Two Elizabeth high schools earn national accolades", Suburban News, May 11, 2012. Accessed November 19, 2012. "Elizabeth High School (EHS) and Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy were two of 4,887 schools from throughout the United States to earn national rankings as part of the 2012 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings.... Elizabeth High School and Hamilton Preparatory Academy ranked No. 6 and No. 46, respectively, in the State of New Jersey."Staff. A. Hamilton Preparatory Academy Overview", U.S. News & World Report. Accessed November 19, 2012.
The school was the 204th-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 339 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2014 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", using a new ranking methodology.Staff. "Top Schools Alphabetical List 2014", New Jersey Monthly, September 2, 2014. Accessed September 5, 2014. The school was the 303rd-ranked public high school in New Jersey out of 328 schools statewide in New Jersey Monthly magazine's September 2012 cover story on the state's "Top Public High Schools", the first time that the school was included in the magazine's rankings.Staff. "The Top New Jersey High Schools: Alphabetical", New Jersey Monthly, August 16, 2012. Accessed December 1, 2012.
Alexander Hamilton Preparatory 9th Grade Academy (80A) The Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy 9th Grade Academy (80A) is located at 1003 North Broad Street.
History The Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy was transformed into the school it is today during the summer of 2008. Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy was created as part of Elizabeth High School. It was a standalone school in 2009 when the school district split Elizabeth High School into six schools as a way to combat overcrowding.
Athletics The Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy does not have its own athletic teams.
References
External links School Website Directions to AHPA AHPA Information Video The AVID Website