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Excellent

#76 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 3% in state

Princeton Middle School

Middle School · Princeton Public School District

217 WALNUT LANE, Princeton, NJ 08540

Enrollment

780

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

8.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Princeton

#5 of 7

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#9 of 441

In district

#5 of 6

Princeton Public School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Princeton Middle School

Princeton Middle School serves 780 sixth through eighth graders in Princeton, New Jersey, earning a composite score of 8.9 out of 10 — an Excellent rating. The school ranks 14th among 441 middle schools statewide, placing it firmly among New Jersey's top-performing public middle schools. Academic performance drives that standing.

The school scores 8.5 on academics and 8.8 on growth, meaning students are not only hitting high benchmarks — they are gaining ground faster than peers at most comparable schools. That pairing puts Princeton Middle ahead of 96% of all public schools in New Jersey, a state where the competition is exceptionally dense. At 11.3 students per teacher, the school maintains class sizes small enough for consistent individual attention across all grade levels.

For families weighing local options, Princeton Middle ranks fifth out of seven schools in Princeton. It carries one of the strongest profiles in a district already known for high achievement, making it a sound choice for parents who want both strong academics and measurable year-over-year student growth heading into high school.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.4 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$30,119

Princeton Middle School — Students at Princeton Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.7%
School
State
46.2%
ELA Proficiency 80.1%
School
State
53.7%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
71%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
53%
ELA
76%
2024
Math
77.6%
ELA
82.6%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Princeton Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
97th percentile in NJ
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

Location

217 WALNUT LANE, Princeton, NJ 08540

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Princeton Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Riverside School (rated 9.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Littlebrook School (rated 9.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Community Park School (rated 9.2/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Princeton, see our Princeton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Princeton High School Princeton 0.2 mi 7.5
ST PAUL SCHOOL OF PRINCETON Princeton 0.6 mi 6.0
Princeton Charter School Princeton 0.6 mi 7.8
Community Park School Princeton 0.5 mi 9.2
THE LEWIS SCHOOL OF PRINCETON Princeton 0.9 mi 7.1
Littlebrook School Princeton 0.9 mi 9.4
Riverside School Princeton 1.0 mi 9.7
STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART Princeton 1.7 mi 8.4
Johnson Park School Princeton 1.8 mi 9.2
FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF PRINCETON Princeton 1.8 mi 8.0
PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL Princeton 1.9 mi 5.5
EDEN SCHOOL Princeton 2.1 mi 7.6
PRINCETON FRIENDS SCHOOL Princeton 2.7 mi 8.2
FUSION ACADEMY PRINCETON Princeton 2.2 mi 7.2
YINGHUA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Kingston 2.4 mi 8.1
MOORISH SCIENCE UNIVERSITY Princeton 3.0 mi
PRINCETON INTERNATIONAL SCHL OF MATH AND SCIENCE Princeton 2.5 mi 7.7
PRINCETON ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART Princeton 2.6 mi 7.9
WALDORF SCHOOL OF PRINCETON Princeton 3.2 mi 6.5
ROCK BROOK SCHOOL Skillman 3.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08540 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$169,898

Median Home Value

$723,400

Median Rent

$2,083/mo

Population

49,499

College Educated

82.4%

Homeownership

63.4%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

8.1%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Princeton Middle School has a median household income of $169,898. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $723,400, with a median rent of $2,083/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Passaic Gifted and Talented Academy School No. 20 Passaic, NJ 8.9
Forrestdale School Rumson, NJ 8.8
Robert R Lazar Middle School Montville, NJ 8.8
Indian Hill School Holmdel, NJ 9.1
East Brook Middle School Paramus, NJ 8.6
Schuyler Colfax Middle School Wayne, NJ 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Princeton Middle School

What grades does Princeton Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Princeton Middle School?

Princeton Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 780 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Princeton Middle School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Princeton Middle School rank in NJ?

Princeton Middle School is ranked #76 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Princeton Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Princeton Middle School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Princeton Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Princeton Middle School has 68.7% math proficiency and 80.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Princeton Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Princeton Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

12.4% of students at Princeton 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
60 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
79 Very Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (765/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Princeton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
780
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Princeton Public School District
District Enrollment
3,827
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$30,034
District Rank
#5 of 6

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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