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#1715 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Union Avenue Middle School

Middle School · Irvington Public School District

427 UNION AVE, Irvington, NJ 07111

Enrollment

728

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Irvington

#7 of 13

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#330 of 441

In district

#7 of 12

Irvington Public School District

Academic growth

8.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Union Avenue Middle School

Union Avenue Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the suburban community of Irvington, New Jersey. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 728 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 with 51 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Union Avenue Middle School is rated 1.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 2182nd out of the 2475 schools in New Jersey, placing it in the 12th percentile.

In terms of standardized test scores, only 29% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 18% achieve proficiency or higher in Math. Despite these challenges, Union Avenue Middle School remains a vital part of the Irvington community, providing educational opportunities for its diverse student body. The school's setting within a large suburban area offers students access to various local amenities and resources that support their growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Union Avenue 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 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.0Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20%
Math vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.6 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,895

Union Avenue Middle School — Students at Union Avenue Middle School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 18.4%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 29.4%
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
13%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
26%
2022
Math
7%
ELA
20%
2024
Math
26%
ELA
30.8%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Union Avenue Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

427 UNION AVE, Irvington, NJ 07111

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Union Avenue Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ola Edwards Community School (rated 7.7/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Hillside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Deanna G. Taylor Academy (rated 7.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Hillside), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hurden Looker School (rated 7.6/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Hillside), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irvington, see our Irvington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Chancellor Avenue Elementary School Irvington 0.3 mi 6.7
Mt. Vernon Avenue Elementary School Irvington 0.4 mi 6.2
Florence Avenue Elementary School Irvington 0.8 mi 2.9
Augusta Preschool Academy Irvington 0.8 mi 6.1
Ola Edwards Community School Hillside 0.8 mi 7.7
Deanna G. Taylor Academy Hillside 1.0 mi 7.6
Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School Maplewood 0.9 mi 6.8
Irvington High School Irvington 1.1 mi 4.0
Franklin Elementary Union 1.0 mi 2.4
Hurden Looker School Hillside 1.3 mi 7.6
Chancellor Avenue School Newark 1.1 mi 6.7
Weequahic High School Newark 1.1 mi 4.1
Burch Charter School of Excellence Irvington 1.3 mi 3.4
Eagle Academy for Young Men of Newark Newark 1.1 mi 5.9
NJ Regional Day School - Newark Newark 1.1 mi 7.2
Madison Avenue Irvington 1.4 mi 2.7
TRINITY TEMPLE ACADEMY Hillside 1.3 mi 4.1
Newark Sch of Data Science and Information Technology Newark 1.5 mi 7.6
Hillside High School Hillside 1.6 mi 5.2
Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School Hillside 1.4 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07111 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,232

Median Home Value

$291,500

Median Rent

$1,324/mo

Population

60,334

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

29.3%

Avg Commute

34.1 min

Poverty Rate

18.1%

Median Age

34.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Union Avenue Middle School has a median household income of $59,232. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $291,500, with a median rent of $1,324/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.1%. The average commute for residents is 34 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
Freehold Intermediate School Freehold, NJ 5.4
Grace Wilday Junior High School Roselle, NJ 5.4
Howard M. Phifer Middle School Pennsauken, NJ 5.4
North Plainfield Middle School North Plainfield, NJ 5.4
Thorne Middle School Port Monmouth, NJ 5.4
Winslow Township Middle School Atco, NJ 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Union Avenue Middle School

What grades does Union Avenue Middle School serve?

Union Avenue Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Union Avenue Middle School?

Union Avenue Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 728 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Union Avenue Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Union Avenue Middle School 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 Union Avenue Middle School rank in NJ?

Union Avenue Middle School is ranked #1715 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Union Avenue Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Union Avenue Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Union Avenue Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Union Avenue Middle School has 18.4% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Union Avenue Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Union Avenue Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

67.2% of students at Union Avenue 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

City Safety
High (3,025/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
728
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex 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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