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
Enrollment
948
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 18% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (732) 376-6040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Perth Amboy Public School District- District Enrollment
- 10,356
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $42,650
- District Rank
- #5 of 12
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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