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Very Good

#549 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Top 22% in state

South Plainfield Middle School

Middle School · South Plainfield School District

2201 PLAINFIELD AVENUE, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Enrollment

503

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

7.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#549 of 2,466

In South Plainfield

#3 of 7

public schools

In district

#3 of 7

South Plainfield School District

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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South Plainfield Middle School

7.7/10

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

South Plainfield High School

5.1/10

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

Grant Elementary School

6.1/10

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

About South Plainfield Middle School

South Plainfield Middle School is a public middle school in South Plainfield, NJ, part of South Plainfield School District. South Plainfield Middle School serves approximately 503 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio. South Plainfield Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #549 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for South Plainfield Middle School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.9
  • NJ avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

At 9.5:1 students to teachers, South Plainfield Middle School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+4.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+13 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment6.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,963
Chronic Absenteeism13.3%

South Plainfield Middle School — Students at South Plainfield Middle School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 62.5% (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
69%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
54%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
41%
ELA
61%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
64%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
64%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
52.9%
ELA
46.8%
2025
Math
54.5%
ELA
55%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How South Plainfield Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.5/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

2201 PLAINFIELD AVENUE, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Plainfield Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hubbard Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Plainfield), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Grant Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in South Plainfield, see our South Plainfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
South Plainfield High School South Plainfield 0.3 mi 5.1
Grant Elementary School South Plainfield 0.3 mi 6.1
HOLY SAVIOR ACADEMY South Plainfield 0.7 mi 8.1
John E. Riley Elementary School South Plainfield 0.8 mi 8.1
Franklin Elementary School South Plainfield 0.8 mi 8.1
KOINONIA ACADEMY Plainfield 1.0 mi 6.1
Cedarbrook Elementary School Plainfield 1.1 mi 5.9
John F Kennedy Elementary School South Plainfield 1.0 mi 5.3
Hubbard Middle School Plainfield 1.2 mi 6.9
Roosevelt Elementary School South Plainfield 1.3 mi 7.3
The Queen City Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.2 mi 5.6
Washington Community School Plainfield 1.4 mi 5.2
Cresthaven Academy Charter School Plainfield 1.5 mi 4.0
Plainfield High School Plainfield 1.6 mi 3.3
Union County TEAMS Charter School Plainfield 1.6 mi 6.4
Evergreen Elementary School Plainfield 1.7 mi 4.4
Clinton Elementary School Plainfield 1.5 mi 6.2
Charles H. Stillman Elementary School Plainfield 1.8 mi 4.4
Arbor Elementary School Piscataway 1.6 mi 6.6
LIL BIG ONES South Plainfield 2.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$126,161

Median Home Value

$444,100

Median Rent

$1,928/mo

Population

24,215

College Educated

41.9%

Homeownership

85.1%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

3.5%

Median Age

41.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Colonia Middle School Colonia, NJ 7.7
Hazlet Middle School Hazlet, NJ 7.7
Warren Hills Regional Middle School Washington, NJ 7.7
West Essex Middle School North Caldwell, NJ 7.7
Belhaven Middle School Linwood, NJ 7.8
Black River Middle School Chester, NJ 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Plainfield Middle School

What grades does South Plainfield Middle School serve?

South Plainfield Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend South Plainfield Middle School?

South Plainfield Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 503 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Plainfield Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Plainfield Middle School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Plainfield Middle School rank in NJ?

South Plainfield Middle School ranks #549 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is South Plainfield Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Plainfield Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 South Plainfield Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Plainfield Middle School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Plainfield Middle School a charter school?

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

Is South Plainfield Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

34.6% of students at South Plainfield 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
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
22 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
503
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.3%

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