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Needs Improvement

#2430 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Grace a Dunn Middle School

Middle School · Trenton Public School District

401 DAYTON STREET, Trenton, NJ 08610

Enrollment

681

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

3.3

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,430 of 2,466

In Trenton

#25 of 32

public schools

In district

#18 of 25

Trenton Public School District

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Grace a Dunn Middle School

3.3/10

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

Lalor Elementary School

3.9/10

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

Franklin Elementary School

6.2/10

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

About Grace a Dunn Middle School

Grace a Dunn Middle School is a public middle school in Trenton, NJ, part of Trenton Public School District. Grace a Dunn Middle School serves approximately 681 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Grace a Dunn Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,430 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Grace a Dunn Middle School show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.5
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Grace a Dunn 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 Data16
Annual Change-1.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.1% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-44.2 pts
Overall Proficiency9% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)45% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-36.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,662
Chronic Absenteeism30.5%

Grace a Dunn Middle School — Students at Grace a Dunn Middle School score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 13.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 19.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
55.5% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 38 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
35%
ELA
32%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
38%
ELA
30%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
29%
2014
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
6%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
8%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
19%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
11%
2024
Math
12.3%
ELA
8.4%
2025
Math
7%
ELA
10.1%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How Grace a Dunn Middle School Compares

See how Grace a Dunn Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

Location

401 DAYTON STREET, Trenton, NJ 08610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grace a Dunn Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Achievers Early College Prep Charter School (rated 5.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School (rated 4.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clara Parker Intermediate School (rated 3.4/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Lalor Elementary School Hamilton 0.3 mi 3.9
Franklin Elementary School Trenton 0.3 mi 6.2
William Harrison Elementary School Trenton 0.5 mi 5.0
Pace Charter School of Hamilton Hamilton Twp 0.5 mi 6.5
International Charter School Trenton 0.5 mi 6.1
George Washington Elementary School Trenton 0.7 mi 3.3
Achievers Early College Prep Charter School Trenton 0.8 mi 5.5
Gershom Mott Elementary School Trenton 0.7 mi 6.7
Carroll Robbins Elementary School Trenton 1.2 mi 4.9
Trenton Central High School - Main Campus Trenton 1.3 mi 4.1
Hamilton West-Watson Hamilton 1.0 mi 3.2
George E. Wilson Elementary School Hamilton 1.1 mi 5.1
Paul S. Robeson Elementary School Trenton 1.5 mi 3.6
Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School Trenton 1.5 mi 4.1
Clara Parker Intermediate School Trenton 1.3 mi 3.4
Patton J. Hill Elementary School Trenton 1.7 mi 5.0
Kuser Elementary School Hamilton 1.6 mi 3.3
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton 1.8 mi 3.4
TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY LOWER SCHOOL Hamilton 1.7 mi 5.3
TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY-UPPER Hamilton 1.7 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,159

Median Home Value

$248,900

Median Rent

$1,491/mo

Population

33,387

College Educated

24.9%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.8%

Median Age

38

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clara Parker Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.4
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton, NJ 3.4
Veterans Memorial Middle Vineland, NJ 3.4
Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.1
Arthur J. Holland Middle School Trenton, NJ 3.5
Battle Monument Intermediate School Trenton, NJ 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grace a Dunn Middle School

What grades does Grace a Dunn Middle School serve?

Grace a Dunn Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Grace a Dunn Middle School?

Grace a Dunn Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 681 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grace a Dunn Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grace a Dunn Middle School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grace a Dunn Middle School rank in NJ?

Grace a Dunn Middle School ranks #2,430 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Grace a Dunn Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grace a Dunn Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Grace a Dunn Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Grace a Dunn Middle School has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Grace a Dunn Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Grace a Dunn Middle School a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grace a Dunn Middle School?

40.7% of students at Grace a Dunn 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
82 Very Walkable
Transit Score
40 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
681
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.5%

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