Very Good
#909 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 37% 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
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,023
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Union City
#7 of 11
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#162 of 441
In district
#8 of 14
Union City School District
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Emerson Middle School
Emerson Middle School serves 1,023 students in grades 6 through 8 in Union City, New Jersey. With 70 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school shows mixed academic performance, with students demonstrating stronger skills in English Language Arts, where 68% achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels.
Mathematics presents more significant challenges, with 30% of students reaching proficiency standards, indicating substantial room for academic growth in this subject area. Emerson Middle School ranks #1340 out of 2,475 New Jersey schools, placing it in the 46th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. The school draws from a diverse community in the 07087 zip code, where the median household income is $59,967 and median home values reach $448,000.
About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the neighborhood faces economic challenges with a 20.3% poverty rate among its 67,258 residents. Emerson Middle School operates as a regular public school in Union City's large suburban setting within Hudson County, serving families in this economically diverse Hudson River community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Emerson Middle School — Students at Emerson Middle School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Emerson Middle School Compares
See how Emerson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 68% (2022).
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 9.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wallace Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Hoboken), 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 miNeighborhood 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emerson Middle School has a median household income of $65,369. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $446,800, with a median rent of $1,489/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Brooklawn Middle School Parsippany, NJ | 7.0 |
| Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell, NJ | 7.0 |
| Edgar Middle School Metuchen, NJ | 7.0 |
| Leonia Middle School Leonia, NJ | 7.0 |
| Ramapo Ridge Mahwah, NJ | 7.0 |
| William C. McGinnis Middle School Perth Amboy, 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 is ranked #909 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Emerson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Emerson Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Emerson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson Middle School has 29.3% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (201) 348-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union City School District- District Enrollment
- 12,797
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $28,362
- District Rank
- #8 of 14
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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