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Average

#979 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 40% in state

Emerson Middle School

Middle School · Union City School District

318 - 18th Street, Union City, NJ 07087

Enrollment

1,023

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#979 of 2,466

In Union City

#9 of 14

public schools

In district

#9 of 14

Union City School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Emerson Middle School

6.9/10

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

Colin Powell Elementary School

7.7/10

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

Hudson Elementary School

8.4/10

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

About Emerson Middle School

Emerson Middle School is a public middle school in Union City, NJ, part of Union City School District. Emerson Middle School serves approximately 1,023 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #979 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NJ avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+2.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.9Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-4.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+28.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$28,362
Chronic Absenteeism17.7%

Emerson Middle School — Students at Emerson Middle School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 56.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 40 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
66%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
56%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
58%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
24%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
21%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
68%
2024
Math
32.6%
ELA
58.7%
2025
Math
32.2%
ELA
64.6%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Emerson Middle School Compares

See how Emerson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
60th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
70 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.7%

Location

318 - 18th Street, Union City, NJ 07087

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Jose Marti STEM Academy (rated 8.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education (rated 8.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas A Edison Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Union City, see our Union City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Colin Powell Elementary School Union City 0.1 mi 7.7
Hudson Elementary School Union City 0.2 mi 8.4
MIFTAAHUL ULOOM ACADEMY Union City 0.2 mi 8.1
Jose Marti STEM Academy Union City 0.3 mi 8.7
ST FRANCIS ACADEMY Union City 0.3 mi 6.5
Veterans' Memorial Elementary School Union City 0.3 mi 6.6
Daniel Webster School Weehawken 0.5 mi 6.7
Sara M. Gilmore Academy Union City 0.4 mi 8.4
Union City High School Union City 0.5 mi 4.5
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Center for Early Childhood Education Union City 0.5 mi 8.5
Robert Waters Elementary School Union City 0.6 mi 7.3
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken Hoboken 0.7 mi 8.0
John F Kennedy Elementary School N. Bergen 0.6 mi 5.2
Thomas A Edison Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 8.5
HOBOKEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Hoboken 0.7 mi
Jefferson Elementary School Union City 0.7 mi 8.1
Wallace Elementary School Hoboken 0.8 mi 8.1
McKinley Elementary School North Bergen 0.9 mi 6.5
George Washington Elementary School Union City 1.0 mi 6.0
Union Hill Middle School Union City 0.9 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07087 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,369

Median Home Value

$446,800

Median Rent

$1,489/mo

Population

66,375

College Educated

28.4%

Homeownership

20.4%

Avg Commute

32.9 min

Poverty Rate

21.3%

Median Age

37.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Glen Meadow Middle School Vernon, NJ 6.9
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield, NJ 6.9
Cinnaminson Middle School Cinnaminson, NJ 7.0
Lacey Township Middle School Forked River, NJ 7.0
Leonia Middle School Leonia, NJ 7.0
Orange Avenue School Cranford, NJ 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson Middle School

What grades does Emerson Middle School serve?

Emerson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Emerson Middle School?

Emerson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,023 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson Middle School is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson Middle School rank in NJ?

Emerson Middle School ranks #979 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Emerson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Emerson Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Emerson Middle School a charter school?

No, Emerson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Emerson Middle School a Title I school?

No, Emerson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Emerson Middle School?

84.5% of students at Emerson 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
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
85 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,023
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
70
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.7%

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