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Very Good

#902 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Top 37% in state

William C. Mcginnis Middle School

Middle School · Perth Amboy Public School District

271 STATE STREET, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

Enrollment

948

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Perth Amboy

#4 of 11

public schools

New Jersey middle schools

#161 of 441

In district

#5 of 12

Perth Amboy Public School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About William C. Mcginnis Middle School

William C. McGinnis Middle School serves 948 students in grades 6-8 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. With 83 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom.

The school is currently focusing on student development, with room for academic growth in core subjects. Test results show 25% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts, while 9% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These outcomes place McGinnis Middle School at #2075 out of 2,475 middle schools statewide, indicating significant opportunities for improvement in academic programming and support.

The school community reflects the diverse character of Perth Amboy, where the median household income is $58,221 and nearly 19% of families face economic challenges. About 15% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting varying levels of educational background among families in the area. Located on State Street in this large suburban community of over 58,000 residents, William C.

McGinnis Middle School serves families in a working-class neighborhood where the median home value is $329,600, representing the affordable housing options that draw many families to this established Middlesex County community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at William C. Mcginnis 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 Progress7.7Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-32.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-28.6 pts
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$40,293

William C. Mcginnis Middle School — Students at William C. Mcginnis Middle School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 20.4%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 29.7%
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
18%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
25%
2024
Math
27.2%
ELA
28.3%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How William C. Mcginnis Middle School Compares

See how William C. Mcginnis Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
83 teachers

Location

271 STATE STREET, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William C. Mcginnis Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. IS 34 TOTTENVILLE (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Staten Island), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Samuel E. Shull Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Perth Amboy, see our Perth Amboy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School Perth Amboy 0.5 mi 6.1
Perth Amboy Magnet School Perth Amboy 0.5 mi 6.6
Robert N. Wilentz Elementary School Perth Amboy 0.5 mi 4.4
Herbert N. Richardson 21st Century School Perth Amboy 0.5 mi 4.3
Edward J. Patten Elementary School Perth Amboy 0.7 mi 4.9
Ignacio Cruz Early Childhood Center Perth Amboy 0.8 mi 7.2
Rose M. Lopez Elementary School Perth Amboy 0.8 mi 7.8
Samuel E. Shull Middle School Perth Amboy 1.0 mi 7.2
Academy for Urban Leadership Charter School Perth Amboy 1.0 mi 4.0
ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Perth Amboy 1.1 mi 5.7
Perth Amboy High School Perth Amboy 1.1 mi 5.8
Edmund Hmieleski Early Childhood Center Perth Amboy 1.7 mi 7.2
PS 1 TOTTENVILLE Staten Island 1.3 mi 8.3
Middlesex County STEM Charter School Perth Amboy 1.5 mi 6.7
IS 34 TOTTENVILLE Staten Island 1.3 mi 7.3
South Amboy Middle/High School South Amboy 1.9 mi 3.4
South Amboy Elementary South Amboy 1.9 mi 4.2
James J. Flynn Elementary School Perth Amboy 2.0 mi 4.6
Woodbridge Academy Magnet School Woodbridge 2.3 mi 8.6
Project Before at Selover School South Amboy 2.6 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08861 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,464

Median Home Value

$340,900

Median Rent

$1,623/mo

Population

58,264

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

35%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding William C. Mcginnis Middle School has a median household income of $60,464. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,900, with a median rent of $1,623/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.2%. 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
Brooklawn Middle School Parsippany, NJ 7.0
Buzz Aldrin Middle School Upper Montclair, NJ 7.0
Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell, NJ 7.0
Edgar Middle School Metuchen, NJ 7.0
Emerson Middle School Union City, NJ 7.0
Leonia Middle School Leonia, NJ 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William C. Mcginnis Middle School

What grades does William C. Mcginnis Middle School serve?

William C. Mcginnis Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend William C. Mcginnis Middle School?

William C. Mcginnis Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 948 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William C. Mcginnis Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at William C. Mcginnis Middle School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William C. Mcginnis Middle School rank in NJ?

William C. Mcginnis Middle School is ranked #902 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is William C. Mcginnis Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

William C. Mcginnis Middle School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 William C. Mcginnis Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William C. Mcginnis Middle School has 20.4% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is William C. Mcginnis Middle School a charter school?

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

Is William C. Mcginnis Middle School a Title I school?

No, William C. Mcginnis Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William C. Mcginnis Middle School?

77.4% of students at William C. Mcginnis 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
96 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,766/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
948
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
83
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Middlesex 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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