Dover Middle School

Summary:

Dover Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 7-8 in the Dover Public School District in Dover, New Jersey. The school has 523 students and is located at 302 East McFarlan Street in Dover. While the school's academic performance, as measured by NJSLA test scores, is generally below the state average across all grade levels and subjects, particularly in mathematics, it has a relative strength in Algebra I, with 89.8% of students proficient or better, compared to the state average of 73.6%.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Brooklawn Middle School and Valleyview Middle School, Dover Middle School significantly underperforms in academic achievement, with lower NJSLA test scores and lower rankings among New Jersey middle schools. The school's performance has also declined over the past several years, with its statewide ranking dropping from 216 out of 713 New Jersey middle schools in 2015-2016 to 458 out of 743 in 2023-2024.

One notable challenge facing Dover Middle School is its high rate of chronic absenteeism, which has increased from 8.8% in 2020-2021 to 16.6% in 2022-2023, higher than the state average. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 57.93% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in 2022-2023, significantly higher than the state average. Addressing these issues may be key to improving the school's overall academic outcomes.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 302 East McFarlan Street
       Dover, NJ  07801


(973) 989-2040

District: Dover Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
458th of 743 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,203 Help


Students who attend Dover Middle School usually attend:

High:    Dover High School

Feeder schools for Dover Middle School:

Elementary:    Academy Street Elementary School
    East Dover Elementary School
    North Dover Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  11.0 Help
Number of students:  483

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
88.8%
White:
5.6%
African American:
3.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  53.2% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Dover Middle School ranks worse than 61.6% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 35.82. (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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (88.8%), White (5.6%), African American (3.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 53.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dover Middle School is 11. (See more...)
Help
Compare Dover Middle School employs 43.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dover Middle School is $6,203.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Dover Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Dover Middle School 458th of 743 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Dover 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:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Dover Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Dover Public School District 519th of 613 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Dover Middle School

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Rank History for all students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 29.86 437th 574 23.9%
2004 27.45 463rd 588 21.3%
2005 28.00 469th 599 21.7%
2006 24.46 487th 615 20.8%
2007 35.58 477th 631 24.4%
2008 38.25 460th 640 28.1%
2009 41.98 469th 664 29.4%
2010 51.79 412th 677 39.1%
2011 49.92 428th 684 37.4%
2012 50.23 410th 677 39.4%
2013 53.27 398th 704 43.5%
2014 56.04 375th 717 47.7%
2015 58.84 269th 713 62.3%
2016 66.56 216th 713 69.7%
2017 67.44 222nd 712 68.8%
2018 65.00 238th 716 66.8%
2019 64.25 260th 745 65.1%
2022 34.26 474th 745 36.4%
2023 36.04 457th 748 38.9%
2024 35.82 458th 743 38.4%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.10 49th 202 75.7%
2019 52.77 83rd 227 63.4%
2022 31.83 189th 270 30.0%
2023 38.07 166th 288 42.4%
2024 40.83 165th 320 48.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.23 181st 471 61.6%
2019 62.16 131st 492 73.4%
2022 38.86 281st 535 47.5%
2023 45.38 228th 505 54.9%
2024 33.17 331st 510 35.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.50 24th 522 95.4%
2019 87.13 25th 541 95.4%
2022 61.91 111th 549 79.8%
2023 57.50 161st 568 71.7%
2024 49.42 255th 584 56.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.21 257th 680 62.2%
2019 66.81 229th 703 67.4%
2022 35.29 450th 726 38.0%
2023 36.93 425th 720 41.0%
2024 35.31 447th 717 37.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.04 221st 675 67.3%
2019 62.43 258th 697 63.0%
2022 34.58 457th 730 37.4%
2023 34.77 452nd 718 37.0%
2024 33.70 456th 719 36.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 23.41 312th 361 13.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 81.74 55th 504 89.1%
2019 77.63 75th 524 85.7%
2022 45.49 281st 591 52.5%
2023 50.94 242nd 587 58.8%
2024 45.60 297th 589 49.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Dover Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.93 182nd 497 63.4%
2019 91.95 20th 504 96.0%
2022 34.38 339th 512 33.8%
2024 39.20 324th 510 36.5%
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.

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





Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Dover Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1993 135 24 4 199 0 n/a n/a 0 362
1994 142 32 11 215 0 n/a n/a 0 400
1995 122 39 18 231 0 n/a n/a 0 410
1996 122 39 18 231 0 n/a n/a 0 410
1998 113 33 9 225 0 n/a n/a 0 380
1999 133 27 11 241 0 n/a n/a 0 412
2000 117 39 16 229 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2001 74 45 11 209 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2002 118 50 9 345 0 n/a n/a 0 522
2003 118 50 9 345 0 n/a n/a 0 522
2004 110 48 9 335 0 n/a n/a 0 502
2005 86 39 15 387 0 n/a n/a 0 527
2006 84 41 15 371 0 n/a n/a 0 511
2007 82 48 12 347 0 n/a n/a 0 489
2008 80 41 10 376 0 n/a n/a 0 507
2009 78 29 10 369 0 0 0 0 486
2010 87 25 11 352 0 0 6 0 481
2011 77 36 9 352 0 1 0 0 475
2012 66 34 8 343 0 0 0 0 451
2013 62 42 7 360 0 0 0 0 471
2014 44 31 8 385 1 1 0 0 470
2015 45 20 6 390 0 1 0 0 462
2016 44 28 11 414 0 0 0 0 497
2017 41 32 18 423 0 0 1 0 515
2018 41 27 17 417 0 0 2 0 504
2019 33 24 10 443 0 0 1 0 511
2020 36 21 17 472 0 0 5 0 551
2021 38 17 21 485 0 0 4 0 565
2022 31 14 15 462 1 0 1 0 524
2023 23 19 8 469 1 0 3 0 523
2024 27 19 6 429 0 0 2 0 483

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 Dover Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1993 362 31.7 11.4 81.2
1994 400 32.7 12.2 35.8
1995 410 32.2 12.7 25.4
1996 410 32.2 12.7 25.4
1998 380 33.3 11.4 38.2
1999 412 35.5 11.6 35
2000 401 35.0 11.5 52.1
2001 339 35.2 9.6 51
2002 522 40.5 12.9 50.8
2003 522 40.5 12.9 50.8
2004 502 41.5 12.1 51.4
2005 527 40.5 13.0 n/a
2006 511 42.0 12.2 58.5
2007 489 38.0 12.9 53.8
2008 507 30.0 16.9 57.2
2009 486 37.1 11.2 63.2
2010 481 37.0 13.0 66.1
2011 475 36.0 13.1 70.7
2012 451 33.8 13.3 72.1
2013 471 36.5 12.9 70.9
2014 470 37.5 12.5 73.8
2015 462 35.0 13.2 80.3
2016 497 34.0 14.6 74.6
2017 515 28.7 17.9 74.8
2018 504 31.4 16.0 76
2019 511 31.9 16.0 77.7
2020 551 33.9 16.2 75.3
2021 565 35.2 16.0 73.1
2022 524 36.7 14.2 62
2023 523 42.7 12.2 57.9
2024 483 43.7 11.0 53.2

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 Dover Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1993 362 31.7 11.4 81.2
1994 400 32.7 12.2 35.8
1995 410 32.2 12.7 25.4
1996 410 32.2 12.7 25.4
1998 380 33.3 11.4 38.2
1999 412 35.5 11.6 35
2000 401 35.0 11.5 52.1
2001 339 35.2 9.6 51
2002 522 40.5 12.9 50.8
2003 522 40.5 12.9 50.8
2004 502 41.5 12.1 51.4
2005 527 40.5 13.0 n/a
2006 511 42.0 12.2 58.5
2007 489 38.0 12.9 53.8
2008 507 30.0 16.9 57.2
2009 486 37.1 11.2 63.2
2010 481 37.0 13.0 66.1
2011 475 36.0 13.1 70.7
2012 451 33.8 13.3 72.1
2013 471 36.5 12.9 70.9
2014 470 37.5 12.5 73.8
2015 462 35.0 13.2 80.3
2016 497 34.0 14.6 74.6
2017 515 28.7 17.9 74.8
2018 504 31.4 16.0 76
2019 511 31.9 16.0 77.7
2020 551 33.9 16.2 75.3
2021 565 35.2 16.0 73.1
2022 524 36.7 14.2 62
2023 523 42.7 12.2 57.9
2024 483 43.7 11.0 53.2

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 Dover Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $489 (7.9%) $5,714 (92.1%) $6,203

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Dover 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 260th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 457th of 748 Middle schools
 26.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Dover Middle School)78.750.4
 28.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Dover Public School District)77.950.2
 27.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Dover Middle School)49.726
 23.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Dover Public School District)49.425.9
 23.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Dover Middle School)72.146.9
 25.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Dover Public School District)72.146.9
 25.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Dover Middle School)22.27.6
 14.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Dover Public School District)22.27.6
 14.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Dover Middle School)84.680
 4.6%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Dover Public School District)84.680
 4.6%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Dover Middle School)84.680
 4.6%
   End of Course Algebra I (Dover Public School District)35.918.5
 17.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students511523
 2.3%
African American2419
 20.8%
American Indian01
Asian108
 20%
Hispanic443469
 5.9%
Pacific Islander00
White3323
 30.3%
Two or More Races13
 200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients77.7%57.9%
 19.8%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Dover Middle School

Students at Dover Middle School are 89% Hispanic, 6% White, 4% African American, 1% Asian.

Students who attend Dover Middle School usually go on to attend Dover High School

Dover Middle School ranks 458th of 743 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 483 students attended Dover 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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