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Excellent

#51 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 2% in state

Explore Middle School

Middle School · Hudson County Schools of Technology School District

180-9th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Enrollment

151

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

9.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#51 of 2,466

In Jersey City

#2 of 52

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

Hudson County Schools of Technology School District

Equity

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Explore Middle School

9.0/10

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

Hamilton Park Montessori School Upper School

7.0/10

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

Rafael Cordero Y Molina

7.7/10

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

About Explore Middle School

Explore Middle School is a public middle school in Jersey City, NJ, part of Hudson County Schools of Technology School District. Explore Middle School serves approximately 151 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Explore Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #51 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Explore Middle School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts above NJ schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 151 students, Explore Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+3.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency90.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+36.5 pts
Overall Proficiency82% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)58% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$35,894
Chronic Absenteeism4%

Explore Middle School — Students at Explore Middle School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
34.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 80.4% (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
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
84.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2015
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
82%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
77%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2024
Math
67.4%
ELA
89.3%
2025
Math
73.4%
ELA
90.1%

* 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: 7.9/10.

How Explore Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in NJ
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.9/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
4.0%

Location

180-9th St, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Explore Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Middle School # 4 (rated 5.9/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jersey City, see our Jersey City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL Jersey City 0.1 mi 7.0
Rafael Cordero y Molina Jersey City 0.2 mi 7.7
HAMILTON PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Jersey City 0.2 mi 6.8
ST ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL Jersey City 0.2 mi 6.4
THE FRENCH AMERICAN ACADEMY Jersey City 0.4 mi 6.5
Dr Ronald McNair High School Jersey City 0.4 mi 8.3
VIAQUENTI ACADEMY Jersey City 0.5 mi
WORLD OF ABC THE WALDO SCHOOL Jersey City 0.5 mi 6.6
Hoboken Dual Language Charter School Hoboken 0.8 mi 7.3
Dr. Michael Conti School Jersey City 0.7 mi 8.7
Thomas G. Connors Elementary School Hoboken 0.8 mi 7.5
OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA Jersey City 0.9 mi 6.4
ST PETERS PREPARATORY SCHOOL Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.4
Frank R Conwell School Jersey City 0.8 mi 8.6
William L Dickinson High School Jersey City 0.7 mi 4.3
FIRST CHRISTIAN PENTECOSTAL ACADEMY Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.9
Cornelia F. Bradford School Jersey City 1.0 mi 6.9
HUDSON MONTESSORI Jersey City 0.9 mi 7.8
Middle School # 4 Jersey City 0.9 mi 5.9
James J Ferris High School Jersey City 0.8 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$166,854

Median Home Value

$853,700

Median Rent

$2,960/mo

Population

55,448

College Educated

80%

Homeownership

24.3%

Avg Commute

37.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.1%

Median Age

34.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eugene A. Tighe Middle School Margate, NJ 9.0
Long Pond School Newton, NJ 9.1
Ventnor Middle School Ventnor, NJ 8.8
Hillside Innovation Academy Hillside, NJ 8.3
Nehaunsey Middle School Gibbstown, NJ 8.3
Renaissance Middle School at the Rand Building Montclair, NJ 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Explore Middle School

What grades does Explore Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Explore Middle School?

Explore Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 151 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Explore Middle School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Explore Middle School rank in NJ?

Explore Middle School ranks #51 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Explore Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Explore Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Explore Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Explore Middle School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Explore Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Explore Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

17.9% of students at Explore 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
98 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
84 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
73 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
151
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.9%
Type
vocational
Setting
Large City
County
Hudson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
4.0%

District

Hudson County Schools of Technology School District
District Enrollment
2,323
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$35,894
District Rank
#2 of 5

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