Average
#1494 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Maxson Middle School
Middle School · Plainfield Public School District
920 E SEVENTH ST, Plainfield, NJ 07062
Enrollment
798
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
798
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plainfield
#9 of 15
public schools
New Jersey middle schools
#278 of 441
In district
#8 of 13
Plainfield Public School District
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Maxson Middle School
Maxson Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Plainfield, New Jersey, with an enrollment of 798 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, supported by 65 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Maxson is working through significant challenges.
The school's rating of 3.3 out of 10 reflects performance that ranks in the lower percentile statewide. In English Language Arts, approximately 21% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while math proficiency stands at 13% across grades. These metrics indicate the school has considerable room for academic growth and development.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting within Union County, offering families a community-based educational environment. Parents considering Maxson Middle School should be aware of the current academic performance levels and may want to discuss support systems and improvement initiatives with school administrators to understand how the school is addressing student achievement gaps.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Maxson Middle School 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Maxson Middle School — Students at Maxson Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 11 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How Maxson Middle School Compares
See how Maxson Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 19% (2022).
Location
920 E SEVENTH ST, Plainfield, NJ 07062
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Maxson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Malcolm E Nettingham Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), with a comparable rating. Another option is Somerset School (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby North Plainfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Terrill Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Scotch Plains), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Plainfield, see our Plainfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07062 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$92,711
Median Home Value
$374,200
Median Rent
$1,794/mo
Population
15,018
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
62.1%
Avg Commute
30.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Maxson Middle School has a median household income of $92,711. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $374,200, with a median rent of $1,794/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.7%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School Springfield, NJ | 5.9 |
| John A. Carusi Middle School Cherry Hill, NJ | 5.9 |
| Phillipsburg Middle School Phillipsburg, NJ | 5.9 |
| Carteret Junior High School Carteret, NJ | 6.0 |
| Fernwood Avenue Middle School Egg Harbor Township, NJ | 6.0 |
| Gilmore J Fisher Middle School Ewing, NJ | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Maxson Middle School
What grades does Maxson Middle School serve?
Maxson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Maxson Middle School?
Maxson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 798 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Maxson Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Maxson Middle School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Maxson Middle School rank in NJ?
Maxson Middle School is ranked #1494 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Maxson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Maxson Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Maxson Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Maxson Middle School has 13.2% math proficiency and 21.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Maxson Middle School a charter school?
No, Maxson Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Maxson Middle School a Title I school?
No, Maxson Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Maxson Middle School?
77.9% of students at Maxson 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plainfield). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 798
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 77.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (908) 731-4310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plainfield Public School District- District Enrollment
- 10,436
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $25,788
- District Rank
- #8 of 13
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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