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Below Average

#1496 of 1,793 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

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Massachusetts schools

#1,496 of 1,793

In Peabody

#5 of 11

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Peabody

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J Henry Higgins Middle

4.5/10

Middle School in Peabody · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Center

3.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

St John the Baptist School

5.8/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About J Henry Higgins Middle

J Henry Higgins Middle is a public middle school in Peabody, MA, part of Peabody. J Henry Higgins Middle serves approximately 1,283 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. J Henry Higgins Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,496 of 1,793 schools in MA.

Structured state assessment records for J Henry Higgins Middle show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below MA schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • MA avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data17
Annual Change-2.36 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2025 MCAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.8% (2025 MCAS)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.1 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2025 MCAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 MCAS)
vs. Expected-17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,315
Chronic Absenteeism25.1%

J Henry Higgins Middle — Students at J Henry Higgins Middle score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.1% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)
ELA Proficiency 42.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.5% (multi-year state average, 2018-2025)

Based on 96 test records from MA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
49%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
46%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
49%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
76%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
49%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
45.4%
2019
Math
43.2%
ELA
43.8%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
27.8%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
33%
2023
Math
32.8%
ELA
35.8%
2024
Math
32%
ELA
28%
2025
Math
30%
ELA
27.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in MA
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
110 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.1%

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 5.1/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Salem), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pickering Middle (rated 4.4/10, 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 3.8
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL Peabody 0.5 mi 5.8
Peabody Personalized Remote Education Program Peabody 0.7 mi 2.6
South Memorial Peabody 0.8 mi 7.4
William A Welch Sr Peabody 0.8 mi 4.4
Captain Samuel Brown Peabody 1.4 mi 6.1
Witchcraft Heights Salem 1.2 mi 7.3
Thomas Carroll Peabody 1.3 mi 3.4
BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Peabody 1.5 mi 5.3
THE PHOENIX SCHOOL Salem 1.6 mi
Salem High Salem 2.0 mi 7.3
Bates Salem 1.9 mi 8.4
Horace Mann Laboratory Salem 2.1 mi 3.4
Collins Middle Salem 2.0 mi 5.1
Peabody Veterans Memorial High Peabody 2.1 mi 4.1
Riverside Danvers 2.5 mi 6.3
NORTH SHORE CHRISTIAN Lynn 2.6 mi 6.0
Lynn Woods Lynn 2.6 mi 5.0
Highlands Danvers 2.8 mi 4.6
Pickering Middle Lynn 2.8 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
O'Donnell Middle School Stoughton, MA 4.6
West Springfield Middle West Springfield, MA 4.3
Bridgewater Middle School Bridgewater, MA 5.0
Justus C. Richardson Middle School Dracut, MA 5.0
Walsh Middle Framingham, MA 5.0
1 LT Charles W. Whitcomb School Marlborough, MA 3.8

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 ranks #1,496 of 1,793 schools in MA.

What is J Henry Higgins Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

J Henry Higgins Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at J Henry Higgins Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J Henry Higgins Middle has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.1%

District

Peabody
District Enrollment
5,832
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,315
District Rank
#5 of 11

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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