Needs Improvement
#4586 of 4,739 schools in NY
Senator James H Donovan Middle School
Middle School · UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
1701 NOYES ST, Utica, NY 13502
Enrollment
763
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
763
Student-Teacher
12.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Utica
#12 of 14
public schools
New York middle schools
#765 of 785
In district
#11 of 13
UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
About Senator James H Donovan Middle School
Senator James H Donovan Middle School serves students in grades 7 and 8 in Utica, a small city in Oneida County. The school has an enrollment of 763 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, supported by 61 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is working with significant challenges.
In English Language Arts, 29% of students are proficient or above grade level, while in mathematics, 18% meet proficiency standards. The school's academic score of 1.8 out of 10 reflects these areas with room for improvement, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide (#4335 out of 4,758 New York schools). This profile suggests the school is focusing on student development and building stronger academic foundations across its student body.
With a manageable student-teacher ratio, the school has the structural capacity to provide more individualized attention as it works to strengthen instructional practices and student achievement. Senator James H Donovan Middle School is positioned in Utica's community, serving as a key educational hub for middle-grade students in the area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Senator James H Donovan Middle School — Students at Senator James H Donovan Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NY NYSED (2020-21)
Based on 8 test records from NY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.4/10.
How Senator James H Donovan Middle School Compares
See how Senator James H Donovan Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 19% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 30% (2021).
Location
1701 NOYES ST, Utica, NY 13502
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Senator James H Donovan Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WHITESBORO MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Whitesboro), which scores notably higher. Another option is PERRY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby New Hartford), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PARKWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 3.7/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Whitesboro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Utica, see our Utica schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 13502 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,530
Median Home Value
$149,600
Median Rent
$965/mo
Population
33,241
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
60.2%
Avg Commute
18.9 min
Poverty Rate
20.1%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Senator James H Donovan Middle School has a median household income of $59,530. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,600, with a median rent of $965/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| LANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Lancaster, NY | 3.7 |
| ALGONQUIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Averill Park, NY | 3.8 |
| CARTHAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Carthage, NY | 3.8 |
| MEXICO MIDDLE SCHOOL Mexico, NY | 3.8 |
| SWEET HOME MIDDLE SCHOOL Amherst, NY | 3.8 |
| VERONICA E CONNOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Island, NY | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Senator James H Donovan Middle School
What grades does Senator James H Donovan Middle School serve?
Senator James H Donovan Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Senator James H Donovan Middle School?
Senator James H Donovan Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 763 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Senator James H Donovan Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Senator James H Donovan Middle School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Senator James H Donovan Middle School rank in NY?
Senator James H Donovan Middle School is ranked #4586 out of 4,739 schools in NY.
What is Senator James H Donovan Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Senator James H Donovan Middle School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Senator James H Donovan Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Senator James H Donovan Middle School has 18.5% math proficiency and 28.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Senator James H Donovan Middle School a charter school?
No, Senator James H Donovan Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Senator James H Donovan Middle School a Title I school?
No, Senator James H Donovan Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Senator James H Donovan Middle School?
84.1% of students at Senator James H Donovan 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,493/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Utica). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 763
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Oneida County
- Phone
- (315) 368-6541
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
UTICA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 9,329
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,812
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
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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