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#2953 of 4,742 schools in NY

J Watson Bailey Middle School

Middle School · KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

118 MERILINA AVE EXT, Kingston, NY 12401

Enrollment

943

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

5.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New York schools

#2,953 of 4,742

In Kingston

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#4 of 10

KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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J Watson Bailey Middle School

5.7/10

Middle School in Kingston · grades 5th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harry L Edson School

3.9/10

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

George Washington School

4.9/10

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

About J Watson Bailey Middle School

J Watson Bailey Middle School is a public middle school in Kingston, NY, part of KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. J Watson Bailey Middle School serves approximately 943 students, and covers grades 5th-8th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. J Watson Bailey Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,953 of 4,742 schools in NY.

Structured state assessment records for J Watson Bailey Middle School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • NY avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 9.2:1 students to teachers, J Watson Bailey 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 Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.2% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.5 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,606
Chronic Absenteeism21.8%

J Watson Bailey Middle School — Students at J Watson Bailey Middle School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
35.9% (2021 NYSED)
ELA Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
54.9% (2021 NYSED)

Based on 36 test records from NY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
53%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
51%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2013
Math
24%
ELA
24%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
29%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
47.4%
2022
Math
23.4%
ELA
41.3%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How J Watson Bailey Middle School Compares

See how J Watson Bailey Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NY
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
102 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

Location

118 MERILINA AVE EXT, Kingston, NY 12401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering J Watson Bailey Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. BULKELEY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Rhinebeck), which scores notably higher. Additionally, M CLIFFORD MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Lake Katrine), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kingston, see our Kingston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.0 mi
School Distance Rating
HARRY L EDSON SCHOOL Kingston 0.1 mi 3.9
GEORGE WASHINGTON SCHOOL Kingston 1.0 mi 4.9
ERNEST C MYER SCHOOL Hurley 1.8 mi 5.4
KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL Kingston 1.9 mi 8.0
CHAMBERS SCHOOL Kingston 2.5 mi 4.2
KINGSTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Kingston 2.4 mi 5.7
JOHN F KENNEDY SCHOOL Kingston 2.8 mi 3.1
M CLIFFORD MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake Katrine 3.5 mi 4.7
E R CROSBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Katrine 3.7 mi 6.4
CHILDREN'S HOME OF KINGSTON Kingston 3.2 mi 7.6
ROBERT R GRAVES SCHOOL Port Ewen 3.7 mi 8.5
WRAPAROUND SERVICES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY INC Lake Katrine 4.2 mi 6.0
HUDSON VALLEY SUDBURY SCHOOL Kingston 4.9 mi 6.2
CENTER FOR SPECTRUM SERVICES Kingston 5.4 mi 6.1
WOODSTOCK DAY SCHOOL Saugerties 8.0 mi 6.8
THE MOUNT ACADEMY Esopus 7.6 mi 7.7
WOODSTOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Woodstock 8.1 mi 6.1
BULKELEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Rhinebeck 6.8 mi 7.3
RHINEBECK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Rhinebeck 6.8 mi 8.1
CHANCELLOR LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rhinebeck 7.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 12401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,426

Median Home Value

$285,700

Median Rent

$1,300/mo

Population

35,058

College Educated

31.9%

Homeownership

56.8%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

40.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ISLIP MIDDLE SCHOOL Islip, NY 5.7
JHS 80 MOSHOLU PARKWAY (THE) Bronx, NY 5.7
ONEIDA MIDDLE SCHOOL Schenectady, NY 5.7
VERONICA E CONNOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island, NY 5.7
EMMA E SHERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Henrietta, NY 5.8
HAVILAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Hyde Park, NY 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about J Watson Bailey Middle School

What grades does J Watson Bailey Middle School serve?

J Watson Bailey Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend J Watson Bailey Middle School?

J Watson Bailey Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 943 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at J Watson Bailey Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at J Watson Bailey Middle School is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does J Watson Bailey Middle School rank in NY?

J Watson Bailey Middle School ranks #2,953 of 4,742 schools in NY.

What is J Watson Bailey Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

J Watson Bailey Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 J Watson Bailey Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J Watson Bailey Middle School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is J Watson Bailey Middle School a charter school?

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

Is J Watson Bailey Middle School a Title I school?

No, J Watson Bailey Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J Watson Bailey Middle School?

48.4% of students at J Watson Bailey 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
41 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
943
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
102
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Ulster County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

District

KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
6,284
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,606
District Rank
#4 of 10

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