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J Watson Bailey Middle School

Q: Is J Watson Bailey Middle School a good school?

J Watson Bailey Middle School ranks 1012 th of 1500 New York middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend J Watson Bailey Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 936 students attended J Watson Bailey Middle School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of J Watson Bailey Middle School?

Students at J Watson Bailey Middle School are 55% White, 27% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 7% African American, 3% Asian.

Q: What high school do graduates of J Watson Bailey Middle School attend?

Students who attend J Watson Bailey Middle School usually go on to attend Kingston High School

Public Grades 5-8

1012^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,500 New York Middle Schools

Better than 33% of New York middle schools

Summary

J Watson Bailey Middle School is a public middle school in Kingston, New York, serving 943 students in grades 5-8 and part of the Kingston City School District. While the school has seen a significant increase in per-student spending, from $16,736 in 2020-2021 to $34,687 in 2023-2024, its academic performance consistently ranks in the bottom half of New York middle schools, typically in the 1000-1200 range out of around 1500 schools.

The school's proficiency rates on state assessments generally range from around 30-50% in English Language Arts and 25-45% in Math, which are below the state and district averages. However, the school performs relatively better in certain subject areas, such as 8th grade Science and Regents exams in Algebra I, Life Science Biology, and Earth and Space Sciences, where proficiency rates are higher than the district and state. The school also struggles to support certain student subgroups, with lower rankings and proficiency rates for African American, Hispanic, English Language Learner, Special Education, and Economically Disadvantaged students compared to their peers.

Despite the increased funding, the school's challenges in providing a high-quality education to its diverse student population remain significant, as evidenced by its consistent underperformance and disparities in subgroup outcomes. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify and address the root causes of the school's struggles. Nearby middle schools, such as Haviland Middle School and Reginald Bennett Elementary School, may provide insights into effective strategies for improving student achievement.

936

Students ?

9.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$38,683

Per pupil spending ?

45.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

118 Merilina Ave Ext
Kingston, NY 12401-4225

(845) 943-3940

District: Kingston City School District

Students who attend J Watson Bailey Middle School usually attend:

High:

Kingston High School

Feeder schools for J Watson Bailey Middle School:

Elementary:	Ernest C Myer School
	George Washington School
	Harry L Edson School
	Robert R Graves School

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.2%

Hispanic:

26.9%

Two or more races:

8.7%

See top rated New York middle schools

Compare J Watson Bailey Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 36th percentile in 2015 → 33rd in 2025

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the New York average (42% vs 53% meeting standards)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Math scores 18 pts below the New York average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school42%

District avg38%

New York avg53%

1,012^th of 1,500

New York public middle schools ?

Bottom 33%▼ down 4 pts since 2015

From bottom 36% (2015) to bottom 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of New York Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 2Middle Schools in the Kingston City School District

761^st of 874Kingston City School District among New York districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	35.1	1012 of 1500	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	29.0	1123 of 1504	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.4	1087 of 1500	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.8	1000 of 1479	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.6	882 of 1242	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	32.6	968 of 1439	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	33.5	979 of 1438	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	33.8	970 of 1455	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.9	963 of 1429	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	36.6	900 of 1407	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2014	42.6	797 of 1401	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	37.5	860 of 1373	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	44.2	825 of 1337	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	44.0	810 of 1295	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	49.0	745 of 1243	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	59.2	669 of 1224	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	49.6	744 of 1185	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	49.0	684 of 1123	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	44.9	706 of 1095	35.5%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	25.7	540 of 676	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.8	467 of 705	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	21.9	595 of 696	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.4	518 of 706	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.4	555 of 653	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.3	627 of 663	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	38.0	297 of 406	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	41.2	276 of 396	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.3	267 of 369	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	50.6	217 of 374	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	28.5	543 of 646	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.0	540 of 615	12.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.1	392 of 591	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	23.9	548 of 581	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	27.0	430 of 473	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	25.3	498 of 503	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	36.9	983 of 1457	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.1	976 of 1465	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	31.1	1070 of 1463	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	34.7	968 of 1454	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.7	823 of 1066	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	29.8	1001 of 1370	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	35.5	922 of 1353	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	26.5	790 of 965	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	860 of 953	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	17.8	856 of 943	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	22.8	776 of 914	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	18.3	409 of 449	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	14.6	774 of 826	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	19.2	731 of 810	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	8.1	600 of 603	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	22.5	514 of 594	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	13.3	525 of 543	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	24.1	423 of 487	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	25.4	1057 of 1283	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.4	1184 of 1296	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	17.9	1178 of 1288	8.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	19.1	1173 of 1306	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.1	794 of 935	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.6	1128 of 1241	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	17.7	1154 of 1245	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	35.1	974 of 1455	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.1	1206 of 1464	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.3	1068 of 1464	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.8	1004 of 1455	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.8	765 of 1071	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	36.0	849 of 1366	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.2	907 of 1352	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	30.8	159 of 235	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	23.8	170 of 220	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.0	62 of 95	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.0	88 of 126	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	33.0	74 of 107	30.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	38.1	772 of 1298	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	30.5	955 of 1303	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	37.3	801 of 1307	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.2	811 of 1283	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	24.3	433 of 522	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	29.8	883 of 1139	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.5	507 of 1170	56.7%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	New York percentile	Rating
2025	33.7	555 of 775	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.0	614 of 778	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.7	537 of 772	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.6	533 of 748	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.2	405 of 614	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	33.0	502 of 716	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	32.3	554 of 763	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Special Education (2025)41st percentile+8 vs school

Male (2025)33rd percentile~ school

Female (2025)33rd percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2025)32nd percentile~ school

White (2025)28th percentile-4 vs school

Asian (2025)27th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2025)20th percentile-12 vs school

Hispanic (2025)18th percentile-14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)18th percentile-15 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)16th percentile-17 vs school

Homeless (2025)<1st percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs New York (2024-2025) ?

Earth and Space Sciences97%+41 vs state

Algebra I94%+38 vs state

Life Science Biology89%+31 vs state

English Language Arts43%-9 vs state

Math35%-18 vs state

Science34%-11 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a student
Saturday, July 18, 2020

Seriously don't even consider sending your child here. No one keeps their child in this district unless they can't afford to leave or they're incredibly delusional. Academics are nonexistent, no graduate is prepared for college, the violence is incredibly disturbing and out of control, teachers have a completely passive role in the education process and many are ill-equiped, not qualified, snarky, and generally awful, and extra curriculars are just another of the elaborate facades put up by the district to lure in new students instead of actually using funding to give students a good education. Do yourself and your family a favor and just stay away. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, September 14, 2017

Horrible principal. Do not send your children here. Close Quote

Schools Near J Watson Bailey Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Immunizations Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				Regents Living Environment (2025)	Regents Algebra I (2025)	Regents Life Science Biology (2025)	Regents Earth and Space Sciences (2025)	NY State Assessments English Language Arts (2025)					NY State Assessments Math (2025)					NY State Assessments Science (2025)		% Completely Immunized (2020)	% Polio (2020)	% Measles (2020)	% Mumps (2020)	% Rubella (2020)	% Diphtheria (2020)	% Hepatitis B (2020)	% Varicella (2020)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Regents Living Environment End of Course	Regents Algebra I End of Course	Regents Life Science Biology End of Course	Regents Earth and Space Sciences End of Course	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 4th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 5th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 6th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 7th Grade	NY State Assessments English Language Arts 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 4th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 5th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 6th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 7th Grade	NY State Assessments Math 8th Grade	NY State Assessments Science 5th Grade	NY State Assessments Science 8th Grade	% Completely Immunized All Grades	% Polio All Grades	% Measles All Grades	% Mumps All Grades	% Rubella All Grades	% Diphtheria All Grades	% Hepatitis B All Grades	% Varicella All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
J Watson Bailey Middle School	Public	5-8	118 Merilina Ave Ext	Kingston	12401	Ulster County	Kingston City School District	No	No	No	No	(845) 943-3940	936	99	9.4	45.6%	517 (55.2%)	61 (6.5%)	252 (26.9%)	24 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	81 (8.7%)	35.1	1012^th of 1500 public middle schools	32.5%		29	1123^rd of 1504 public middle schools	25.3%	111		94.4	88.9	96.6		41.2	47.7	34.0	52.6		29.9	36.9	43.5	25.0	29.8	40.5	98.6	99.4	99.8	99.8	99.8	99.4	99.5	99.6	$38,683	$944	$37,739
M Clifford Miller Middle School	Public	5-8	65 Fording Pl Rd	Lake Katrine	12449	Ulster County	Kingston City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 943-3941	826	90	9.1	58.6%	324 (39.2%)	115 (13.9%)	257 (31.1%)	23 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	107 (13.0%)	14.2	1379^th of 1500 public middle schools	8.1%		16	1365^th of 1504 public middle schools	9.2%	14		76.7	94.4	96.0		27.6	36.4	27.2	23.9		11.4	32.1	27.7	5.3	21.3	16.1	98.3	99.4	99.8	99.8	99.8	100.0	99.5	99.2	$36,946	$2,356	$34,589
Bulkeley Middle School	Public	6-8	45 N Park Rd	Rhinebeck	12572	Dutchess County	Rhinebeck Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 871-5500	211	25	8.3	16.6%	160 (75.8%)	1 (0.5%)	26 (12.3%)	4 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (9.5%)	93.7	86^th of 1500 public middle schools	94.3%		93.7	88^th of 1504 public middle schools	94.1%	2		100.0	92.9				84.8	78.2	81.0			83.1	85.1	80.0		79.0	95.0	96.3	98.3	98.3	98.3	96.3	95.9	96.7	$43,475	$645	$42,831
Linden Avenue Middle School	Public	6-8	65 W Market St	Red Hook	12571	Dutchess County	Red Hook Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 758-2241	390	37	10.4	27.9%	309 (79.2%)	5 (1.3%)	54 (13.8%)	10 (2.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	61.1	537^th of 1500 public middle schools	64.2%		62.5	495^th of 1504 public middle schools	67.1%	42	96.5	100.0					62.3	50.9	58.3			70.0	51.8	32.1		52.2	98.8	99.3	100.0	100.0	100.0	99.0	99.0	99.3	$31,674	$514	$31,160
Saugerties Junior High School	Public	7-8	310 Washington Ave Ext	Saugerties	12477	Ulster County	Saugerties Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 247-6561	338	35	9.6	39.6%	241 (71.3%)	5 (1.5%)	58 (17.2%)	10 (3.0%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.9%)	46.2	794^th of 1500 public middle schools	47.1%		45.8	791^st of 1504 public middle schools	47.4%	3		97.1	95.2					42.1	34.3				48.1	61.2		50.7	97.8	98.3	99.4	99.4	99.4	98.5	98.5	98.2	$34,104	$620	$33,484
Rondout Valley Junior High School	Public	7-8	122 Kyersike Rd	Accord	12404	Ulster County	Rondout Valley Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 687-2400	278	31	8.9	45.0%	221 (79.5%)	8 (2.9%)	27 (9.7%)	9 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.7%)	34.6	1024^th of 1500 public middle schools	31.7%		36	997^th of 1504 public middle schools	33.7%	27	100.0	100.0						41.9	43.6				31.4	35.5		46.0	98.0	98.8	99.6	99.6	99.6	98.8	99.6	99.1	$40,698	$2,001	$38,697
Rondout Valley Intermediate School	Public	4-6	122 Kyersike Rd	Accord	12404	Ulster County	Rondout Valley Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 687-2400	358	40	9.0	43.6%	282 (78.8%)	8 (2.2%)	43 (12.0%)	8 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.5%)								(n/a)					46.3	39.0	45.0			44.6	45.2	49.5			43.0		97.6	98.8	99.3	99.3	99.3	98.3	99.5	98.8	$35,716	$1,937	$33,779
Haviland Middle School	Public	6-8	23 Haviland Rd	Hyde Park	12538	Dutchess County	Hyde Park Central School District	No	No	No	No	(845) 229-4030	757	85	8.9	48.1%	362 (47.8%)	122 (16.1%)	202 (26.7%)	12 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	56 (7.4%)	42.8	852^nd of 1500 public middle schools	43.2%		43.4	841^st of 1504 public middle schools	44.1%	11		100.0	91.9				43.3	45.2	45.4			38.3	49.8	44.2		53.4	98.9	99.9	99.9	99.9	99.9	100.0	99.9	99.8	$37,906	$1,657	$36,249
Onteora Middle School	Public	6-8	4166 Rt 28	Boiceville	12412	Ulster County	Onteora Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 657-2373	248	31	7.8	44.8%	173 (69.8%)	2 (0.8%)	44 (17.7%)	5 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.3%)	74.8	319^th of 1500 public middle schools	78.7%		59.7	544^th of 1504 public middle schools	63.8%	225		100.0	100.0				62.7	63.0	70.6			49.3	62.2	72.5		70.0	94.7	96.5	100.0	100.0	100.0	96.5	98.2	98.7	$52,619	$1,710	$50,908
New Paltz Middle School	Public	6-8	196 Main St	New Paltz	12561	Ulster County	New Paltz Central School District	No	No	No	Yes	(845) 256-4200	381	47	8.0	26.2%	270 (70.9%)	19 (5.0%)	49 (12.9%)	14 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	25 (6.6%)	68.5	402^nd of 1500 public middle schools	73.2%		51.8	681^st of 1504 public middle schools	54.7%	279	100.0	100.0					69.6	59.3	61.2			60.4	67.4	43.8		43.8	97.4	98.4	99.8	99.8	99.8	97.6	98.4	99.4	$40,551	$939	$39,612

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