Below Average
#1487 of 1,791 schools in MA
J Henry Higgins Middle
Middle School · Peabody
85 Perkins Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Enrollment
1,283
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,283
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Peabody
#5 of 11
public schools
Massachusetts middle schools
#260 of 305
In district
#5 of 11
Peabody
About J Henry Higgins Middle
J Henry Higgins Middle serves 1,283 students in grades 6-8 in Peabody, Massachusetts. This large public middle school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 110 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school currently ranks #1,037 out of 1,796 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 42nd percentile with room for academic growth.
Academic performance shows 33% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 32% in mathematics across all grade levels. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, J Henry Higgins Middle is focusing on student development and improvement initiatives. Located at 85 Perkins Street, the school serves a community where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education, with 35% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The surrounding neighborhood reflects middle-class stability, with a median household income of $91,032 and a low poverty rate of 7.0%. Median home values of $508,600 indicate an established residential area. J Henry Higgins Middle sits in the heart of Peabody's large suburban setting, part of Essex County's diverse educational landscape that serves over 54,000 residents in the 01960 ZIP code area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
J Henry Higgins Middle — Students at J Henry Higgins Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 74 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.7/10.
How J Henry Higgins Middle Compares
See how J Henry Higgins Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
85 Perkins Street, Peabody, MA 01960
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J Henry Higgins Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Collins Middle (rated 4.8/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Salem), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Pickering Middle (rated 4.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Lynn), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Peabody, see our Peabody schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Center Peabody | 0.3 mi | 3.6 |
| ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Peabody | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program Peabody | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| South Memorial Peabody | 0.8 mi | 6.5 |
| William A Welch Sr Peabody | 0.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Captain Samuel Brown Peabody | 1.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Witchcraft Heights Salem | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Thomas Carroll Peabody | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem | 1.6 mi | — |
| Salem High Salem | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Bates Salem | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Horace Mann Laboratory Salem | 2.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Collins Middle Salem | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Peabody Veterans Memorial High Peabody | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Riverside Danvers | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| NORTH SHORE CHRISTIAN Lynn | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Lynn Woods Lynn | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Highlands Danvers | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Pickering Middle Lynn | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01960 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$95,173
Median Home Value
$566,700
Median Rent
$1,902/mo
Population
53,961
College Educated
33.7%
Homeownership
65.4%
Avg Commute
27.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
46.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding J Henry Higgins Middle has a median household income of $95,173. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $566,700, with a median rent of $1,902/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 LT Charles W. Whitcomb School Marlborough, MA | 4.7 |
| West Springfield Middle West Springfield, MA | 4.7 |
| O'Donnell Middle School Stoughton, MA | 4.6 |
| Justus C. Richardson Middle School Dracut, MA | 4.5 |
| Sky View Middle School Leominster, MA | 5.1 |
| Consentino Middle School Haverhill, MA | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J Henry Higgins Middle
What grades does J Henry Higgins Middle serve?
J Henry Higgins Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend J Henry Higgins Middle?
J Henry Higgins Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,283 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J Henry Higgins Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at J Henry Higgins Middle is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J Henry Higgins Middle rank in MA?
J Henry Higgins Middle is ranked #1487 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is J Henry Higgins Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
J Henry Higgins Middle has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at J Henry Higgins Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J Henry Higgins Middle has 34.5% math proficiency and 35.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J Henry Higgins Middle a charter school?
No, J Henry Higgins Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J Henry Higgins Middle a Title I school?
No, J Henry Higgins Middle is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Peabody). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,283
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 110
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 536-4800
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Peabody- District Enrollment
- 5,832
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,315
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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