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Needs Improvement

#2447 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School

Middle School · Trenton Public School District

401-411 Brunswick Ave, Trenton, NJ 08638

Enrollment

610

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

3.1

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,447 of 2,466

In Trenton

#29 of 32

public schools

In district

#22 of 25

Trenton Public School District

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Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School

3.1/10

Middle School in Trenton · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Islamic School of Trenton

Nearby

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

Trenton Central High School-9th Grade Academy

2.3/10

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

About Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School is a public middle school in Trenton, NJ, part of Trenton Public School District. Dr.

Martin Luther King Middle School serves approximately 610 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,447 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School show 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.5
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

38% of students at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.91 pts/yr
Data Period2024–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.9% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-38.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-43.4 pts
Overall Proficiency7% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-28.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,662
Chronic Absenteeism38%

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School — Students at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 6.8% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
31.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 10.0% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
55.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 9 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2024
Math
9.1%
ELA
9%
2025
Math
3.4%
ELA
10.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.

How Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Compares

See how Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.0%

Location

401-411 Brunswick Ave, Trenton, NJ 08638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Achievers Early College Prep Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School (rated 4.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Battle Monument Intermediate School (rated 3.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,650

Median Home Value

$226,700

Median Rent

$1,499/mo

Population

23,373

College Educated

30.9%

Homeownership

56.3%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

21.6%

Median Age

35.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Grace A Dunn Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.3
Clara Parker Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.4
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton, NJ 3.4
Veterans Memorial Middle Vineland, NJ 3.4
Arthur J. Holland Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.5
Battle Monument Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School

What grades does Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School serve?

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School?

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 610 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School rank in NJ?

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School ranks #2,447 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School has 7% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 10% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

Is Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School a charter school?

No, Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School a Title I school?

No, Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School?

57.4% of students at Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
610
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.0%

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