Highland Park Middle School

Summary:

Highland Park Middle School is a public middle school serving 353 students in grades 6-8 in Highland Park, New Jersey. The school is part of the Highland Park Boro School District, which is ranked 383 out of 613 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highland Park Middle School consistently ranks in the bottom half of New Jersey middle schools, with academic performance significantly below state averages across all grade levels and subjects, particularly in mathematics. For example, in 2023-2024, only 30.1% of 6th graders, 12.2% of 7th graders, and 4.7% of 8th graders scored proficient or better in math, compared to state averages of 36.2%, 37.5%, and 19.4%. The school also struggles to effectively serve its diverse student population, with subgroup performance rankings in the bottom quarter of the state.

Nearby middle schools, such as Conackamack Middle School in Piscataway, Edgar Middle School in Metuchen, and Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Edison, generally outperform Highland Park Middle School on academic measures, suggesting that the school may have room for improvement in its instructional practices and support for struggling students.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 330 Wayne Street
       Highland Park, NJ  08904


(732) 572-2400

District: Highland Park Boro School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
477th of 743 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,200 Help


Students who attend Highland Park Middle School usually attend:

High:    Highland Park High School

Feeder schools for Highland Park Middle School:

Elementary:    Bartle Elementary School
    Irving Primary School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.0 Help
Number of students:  346

Racial breakdown:

White:
31.5%
Hispanic:
31.5%
Asian:
17.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  44.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Highland Park Middle School ranks worse than 64.2% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.52. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Highland Park Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (31.5%), White (31.5%), Asian (17.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 44.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highland Park Middle School is 10. (See more...)
Help
Compare Highland Park Middle School employs 34.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highland Park Middle School is $10,200.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Highland Park Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Park Middle School 477th of 743 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Highland Park Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Highland Park Boro School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Highland Park Boro School District 383rd of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Highland Park Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 50.75 410th 631 35.0%
2008 60.31 331st 640 48.3%
2009 55.19 383rd 664 42.3%
2010 64.02 300th 677 55.7%
2011 62.56 312th 684 54.4%
2012 66.59 286th 677 57.8%
2013 67.22 266th 704 62.2%
2014 68.41 261st 717 63.6%
2015 52.30 334th 713 53.2%
2016 41.28 439th 713 38.4%
2017 45.60 390th 712 45.2%
2018 46.83 391st 716 45.4%
2019 45.91 411th 745 44.8%
2021 46.58 309th 652 52.6%
2022 37.54 450th 745 39.6%
2023 34.70 472nd 748 36.9%
2024 33.52 477th 743 35.8%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 34.74 207th 320 35.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.45 193rd 471 59.0%
2019 16.99 460th 492 6.5%
2021 44.95 196th 401 51.1%
2022 31.56 358th 535 33.1%
2023 40.20 263rd 505 47.9%
2024 26.36 402nd 510 21.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.68 373rd 522 28.5%
2019 35.51 341st 541 37.0%
2021 41.89 250th 467 46.5%
2022 28.64 395th 549 28.1%
2023 27.63 421st 568 25.9%
2024 29.89 426th 584 27.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.37 392nd 680 42.4%
2019 46.58 398th 703 43.4%
2021 56.10 228th 625 63.5%
2022 45.62 372nd 726 48.8%
2023 34.88 450th 720 37.5%
2024 37.31 439th 717 38.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.77 321st 675 52.4%
2019 51.45 332nd 697 52.4%
2021 37.61 346th 635 45.5%
2022 34.95 456th 730 37.5%
2023 38.14 416th 718 42.1%
2024 34.76 445th 719 38.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.52 118th 200 41.0%
2019 47.54 117th 199 41.2%
2021 34.41 97th 147 34.0%
2022 23.26 162nd 200 19.0%
2023 29.09 154th 201 23.4%
2024 41.22 126th 200 37.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 28.83 245th 326 24.8%
2021 36.95 182nd 291 37.5%
2022 22.65 310th 356 12.9%
2023 23.28 313th 361 13.3%
2024 16.68 317th 352 9.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.70 422nd 504 16.3%
2019 26.66 399th 524 23.9%
2021 35.74 302nd 480 37.1%
2022 26.17 468th 591 20.8%
2023 15.39 540th 587 8.0%
2024 17.33 524th 589 11.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Highland Park Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.56 251st 497 49.5%
2019 46.34 279th 504 44.6%
2021 38.88 262nd 435 39.8%
2022 35.83 333rd 512 35.0%
2023 34.60 337th 509 33.8%
2024 31.47 366th 510 28.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Highland Park Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

  

by a student
Sunday, September 15, 2019

Open Quote kids are horrible and the staff dont do much about it. the teachers are willing to help out. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Highland Park Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2006 96 51 30 38 0 n/a n/a 0 215
2007 106 44 39 32 0 n/a n/a 0 221
2008 158 56 59 54 0 n/a n/a 0 327
2009 145 45 56 52 0 0 8 0 306
2010 146 47 59 46 0 0 12 0 310
2011 147 46 62 62 0 0 15 0 332
2012 141 33 66 70 0 0 15 0 325
2013 149 43 74 75 0 0 16 0 357
2014 139 36 84 72 0 0 17 0 348
2015 132 32 79 74 0 1 21 0 339
2016 135 37 81 71 0 1 19 0 344
2017 133 41 77 72 0 1 22 0 346
2018 133 40 85 85 0 1 14 0 358
2019 138 39 86 79 0 1 17 0 360
2020 152 36 69 89 2 1 23 0 372
2021 147 43 71 81 2 0 20 0 364
2022 127 40 72 96 2 0 24 0 361
2023 121 38 64 103 0 0 27 0 353
2024 109 34 59 109 0 0 34 1 346

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Highland Park Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2006 215 16.0 13.4 28.8
2007 221 17.0 13.0 26.2
2008 327 17.0 19.2 30
2009 306 22.4 10.9 31.4
2010 310 21.0 14.7 31.9
2011 332 20.6 16.1 34
2012 325 24.0 13.5 31.1
2013 357 35.0 10.2 35
2014 348 32.2 10.8 33.6
2015 339 28.0 12.1 39.8
2016 344 30.0 11.4 38.1
2017 346 31.8 10.8 37.3
2018 358 32.8 10.9 33.5
2019 360 31.0 11.6 33.6
2020 372 30.4 12.2 33.3
2021 364 29.8 12.2 37.6
2022 361 31.2 11.5 33.2
2023 353 28.4 12.4 42.2
2024 346 34.6 10.0 44.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Highland Park Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2006 215 16.0 13.4 28.8
2007 221 17.0 13.0 26.2
2008 327 17.0 19.2 30
2009 306 22.4 10.9 31.4
2010 310 21.0 14.7 31.9
2011 332 20.6 16.1 34
2012 325 24.0 13.5 31.1
2013 357 35.0 10.2 35
2014 348 32.2 10.8 33.6
2015 339 28.0 12.1 39.8
2016 344 30.0 11.4 38.1
2017 346 31.8 10.8 37.3
2018 358 32.8 10.9 33.5
2019 360 31.0 11.6 33.6
2020 372 30.4 12.2 33.3
2021 364 29.8 12.2 37.6
2022 361 31.2 11.5 33.2
2023 353 28.4 12.4 42.2
2024 346 34.6 10.0 44.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Highland Park Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $462 (4.5%) $9,738 (95.5%) $10,200

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highland Park Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 411th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 472nd of 748 Middle schools
 7.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Middle School)54.535.9
 18.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Boro School District)54.535.9
 18.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Middle School)38.726.3
 12.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Boro School District)38.726.3
 12.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Middle School)62.438.1
 24.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Boro School District)62.438.1
 24.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Middle School)26.419
 7.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Boro School District)26.419
 7.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
7th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park Middle School)9584.2
 10.8%
   7th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park Boro School District)9584.2
 10.8%
   7th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)9589.4
 5.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Middle School)75.550.4
 25.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Highland Park Boro School District)75.550.4
 25.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Middle School)5.63.4
 2.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Highland Park Boro School District)5.63.4
 2.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park Middle School)52.448.5
 3.9%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Highland Park Boro School District)52.448.5
 3.9%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
8th Grade Geometry (Highland Park Middle School)81.965
 16.9%
   8th Grade Geometry (Highland Park Boro School District)81.965
 16.9%
   8th Grade Geometry (New Jersey)93.480.8
 12.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Highland Park Middle School)73.261.6
 11.6%
   End of Course Algebra I (Highland Park Boro School District)33.331.8
 1.5%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%
End of Course Geometry (Highland Park Middle School)87.365
 22.3%
   End of Course Geometry (Highland Park Boro School District)45.321.5
 23.8%
   End of Course Geometry (New Jersey)32.251.2
 19%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students360353
 1.9%
African American3938
 2.6%
American Indian00
Asian8664
 25.6%
Hispanic79103
 30.4%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White138121
 12.3%
Two or More Races1727
 58.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients33.6%42.2%
 8.6%


Schools Near Highland Park Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Park Middle School

Students who attend Highland Park Middle School usually go on to attend Highland Park High School

Highland Park Middle School ranks 477th of 743 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Highland Park Middle School are 32% White, 32% Hispanic, 17% Asian, 10% African American, 10% Two or more races.

In the 2023-24 school year, 346 students attended Highland Park Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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