William Paca Middle School

William Paca Middle School serves 987 students in grades 6-8 in Mastic Beach, located on Blanco Drive in Suffolk County. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention. The school has room for academic growth, with 36% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 27% reaching proficiency in mathematics.

Currently ranked in the 22nd percentile among New York middle schools, William Paca Middle School is working to strengthen student achievement across core subjects. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $99,040 and median home values average $296,500. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 17.4% of families experience poverty, reflecting the mixed economic landscape that characterizes many Long Island communities.

As a regular public middle school, William Paca serves students during these crucial transitional years between elementary and high school. The school's substantial enrollment of nearly 1,000 students creates opportunities for varied programming and peer interactions, while the lower student-teacher ratio supports focused instruction. The school operates within the large suburban setting of Mastic Beach, serving families throughout this established Long Island community.

While current test scores at William Paca 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.