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#1911 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Hamilton West-watson

High School · Hamilton Township Public School District

2720 SOUTH CLINTON AVENUE, Hamilton, NJ 08610

Enrollment

1,427

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

5.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hamilton

#11 of 23

public schools

New Jersey high schools

#329 of 422

In district

#11 of 23

Hamilton Township Public School District

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Hamilton West-watson

Hamilton West-Watson serves 1,427 students in grades 9-12 in Hamilton, New Jersey, operating as a comprehensive public high school in Mercer County. With 100 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school faces significant academic challenges, with 23% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 10% in mathematics across grade levels.

Currently ranked in the 4th percentile among New Jersey high schools, Hamilton West-Watson is working to improve student outcomes and has considerable room for academic growth. Located on South Clinton Avenue, the school serves a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $82,945 and median home values average $230,000. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 8.4%, and 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite current academic performance metrics, the school's manageable class sizes and dedicated teaching staff provide a foundation for supporting student development. The large enrollment offers opportunities for varied programming and activities typical of comprehensive high schools. Hamilton West-Watson sits in the heart of Hamilton's large suburban setting, serving as an integral part of this established New Jersey community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Hamilton West-watson are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23%
Math vs. State Avg-31.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.2 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,530

Hamilton West-watson — Students at Hamilton West-watson score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.2%
School
State
55.2%
ELA Proficiency 36.9%
School
State
58.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
16%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
10%
ELA
23%
2024
Math
44.6%
ELA
36.4%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Hamilton West-watson Compares

See how Hamilton West-watson performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
23th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
100 teachers

Location

2720 SOUTH CLINTON AVENUE, Hamilton, NJ 08610

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hamilton West-watson may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Trenton Central High School - Main Campus (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Trenton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY-UPPER (rated 5.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hamilton, see our Hamilton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
George E. Wilson Elementary School Hamilton 0.1 mi 5.6
Pace Charter School of Hamilton Hamilton Twp 0.5 mi 6.3
Kisthardt Elementary School Hamilton 0.9 mi 3.7
McGalliard Elementary School Hamilton 0.8 mi 3.0
Lalor Elementary School Hamilton 1.0 mi 4.0
Franklin Elementary School Trenton 1.0 mi 3.2
Grace A Dunn Middle School Trenton 1.0 mi 5.1
TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY LOWER SCHOOL Hamilton 1.3 mi 5.3
TRENTON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY ACADEMY-UPPER Hamilton 1.3 mi 5.3
Kuser Elementary School Hamilton 1.4 mi 6.0
DELAWARE VALLEY SCHOOL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Hamilton 1.2 mi
George Washington Elementary School Trenton 1.4 mi 2.4
William Harrison Elementary School Trenton 1.3 mi 3.9
Achievers Early College Prep Charter School Trenton 1.5 mi 5.6
Paul S. Robeson Elementary School Trenton 1.7 mi 3.6
Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School Trenton 1.7 mi 2.8
International Charter School Trenton 1.5 mi 6.4
Trenton Central High School - Main Campus Trenton 1.7 mi 6.5
ST RAPHAEL SCHOOL Hamilton 1.5 mi 7.4
Robinson Elementary School Hamilton 1.5 mi 5.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hamilton West-watson has a median household income of $87,159. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,900, with a median rent of $1,491/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Barnegat High School Barnegat, NJ 5.0
Ewing High School Ewing, NJ 5.0
James J Ferris High School Jersey City, NJ 5.0
Pemberton Township High School Pemberton, NJ 5.0
Jackson Liberty High School Jackson, NJ 5.1
Lincoln High School Jersey City, NJ 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hamilton West-watson

What grades does Hamilton West-watson serve?

Hamilton West-watson serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hamilton West-watson?

Hamilton West-watson has an enrollment of approximately 1,427 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hamilton West-watson?

The student-teacher ratio at Hamilton West-watson is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hamilton West-watson rank in NJ?

Hamilton West-watson is ranked #1911 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Hamilton West-watson's MySchoolScout rating?

Hamilton West-watson has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Hamilton West-watson?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hamilton West-watson has 26.2% math proficiency and 36.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hamilton West-watson a charter school?

No, Hamilton West-watson is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hamilton West-watson a Title I school?

No, Hamilton West-watson is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hamilton West-watson?

50.8% of students at Hamilton West-watson 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
67 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (2/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,427
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
100
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Mercer County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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