Washington Middle School

Summary:

Washington Middle School is a public middle school located in Harrison, New Jersey, serving grades 6-8 with a student population of 494. The school is part of the Harrison Public Schools district, which is ranked 469 out of 615 districts in New Jersey and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Washington Middle School has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (79.76%) compared to the nearby schools, such as Veterans Middle School and Belleville Middle School, which have more diverse racial compositions. The school has also experienced a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 1.6% in 2018-2019 to 11.7% in 2020-2021, which is higher than the nearby schools. Academically, Washington Middle School's performance, as measured by the percentage of students proficient or better in NJSLA assessments, is generally lower than the state averages and the nearby schools, particularly in mathematics. However, the school's performance in Algebra I is relatively stronger, with 57.2% of students proficient or better, compared to the state average of 66%.

Over the past several years, Washington Middle School's statewide ranking has steadily declined, from 327 out of 745 New Jersey middle schools in 2018-2019 to 456 out of 748 in 2022-2023. This decline is accompanied by a decrease in the school's overall performance, as evidenced by the lower proficiency rates in NJSLA assessments. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students (80.97%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds compared to the nearby schools. These factors, along with the disparities in subgroup performance, suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to address the underlying challenges faced by Washington Middle School and its student population.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 One North Fifth Street
       Harrison, NJ  07029-2515


(973) 483-2285

District: Harrison Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
456th of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,511 Help


Students who attend Washington Middle School usually attend:

High:    Harrison High School

Feeder schools for Washington Middle School:

Elementary:    Hamilton Intermediate School
    Lincoln Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.4 Help
Number of students:  494

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
79.8%
White:
9.7%
Asian:
6.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  81% Help


 See top rated New Jersey middle schools

 Compare Washington Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Washington Middle School ranks worse than 61% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.09. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 (79.8%), White (9.7%), Asian (6.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 81% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Washington Middle School is 13.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare Washington Middle School employs 36.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Washington Middle School is $14,511.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Washington Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Washington Middle School 456th of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Washington 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:


Harrison Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Harrison Public Schools 469th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Washington Middle School?

Rank History for Washington Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 23.57 459th 574 20.0%
2004 23.12 475th 588 19.2%
2005 23.30 484th 599 19.2%
2006 23.85 494th 615 19.7%
2007 43.26 445th 631 29.5%
2008 46.86 422nd 640 34.1%
2009 42.59 463rd 664 30.3%
2010 38.20 479th 677 29.2%
2011 36.90 490th 684 28.4%
2012 43.81 452nd 677 33.2%
2013 38.51 493rd 704 30.0%
2014 43.63 454th 717 36.7%
2015 29.32 509th 713 28.6%
2016 26.41 540th 713 24.3%
2017 29.02 510th 712 28.4%
2018 41.65 433rd 716 39.5%
2019 55.46 327th 745 56.1%
2021 23.42 482nd 652 26.1%
2022 41.99 412th 745 44.7%
2023 36.09 456th 748 39.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.22 109th 202 46.0%
2019 59.00 60th 227 73.6%
2021 29.31 162nd 197 17.8%
2022 35.16 170th 270 37.0%
2023 46.83 129th 288 55.2%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.22 232nd 471 50.7%
2019 70.38 98th 492 80.1%
2021 17.52 361st 401 10.0%
2022 34.85 316th 535 40.9%
2023 38.01 277th 505 45.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.53 142nd 522 72.8%
2019 76.80 63rd 541 88.4%
2021 42.55 243rd 467 48.0%
2022 58.59 139th 549 74.7%
2023 60.86 134th 568 76.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.94 399th 680 41.3%
2019 59.52 292nd 703 58.5%
2021 24.48 458th 625 26.7%
2022 43.29 386th 726 46.8%
2023 42.27 384th 720 46.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.84 420th 675 37.8%
2019 52.45 323rd 697 53.7%
2021 24.92 448th 635 29.4%
2022 40.90 405th 730 44.5%
2023 32.18 476th 718 33.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.83 150th 200 25.0%
2019 30.29 148th 199 25.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.19 232nd 504 54.0%
2019 62.11 161st 524 69.3%
2021 30.70 344th 480 28.3%
2022 51.23 235th 591 60.2%
2023 45.41 283rd 587 51.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Washington Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.21 321st 497 35.4%
2019 68.32 136th 504 73.0%
2021 24.80 353rd 435 18.9%
2022 49.54 245th 512 52.1%
2023 37.11 322nd 509 36.7%
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.

Washington 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%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, July 25, 2016

Open Quote Harrison has some of the best teachers working with some of the hardest working kids. The problem is they have the most corrupt set of administrators in the state. Fortunately for Washington Middle School, they are under a new administrative team of Michael Landy and Kevin Barber who are the exception to the faulty status quo. They are transforming WMS into a great place to learn. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Washington Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 363 0 6 51 0 n/a n/a 0 420
1989 324 2 6 107 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1990 315 1 19 119 0 n/a n/a 0 454
1991 281 1 22 156 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1992 200 0 19 125 0 n/a n/a 0 344
1993 209 0 18 109 0 n/a n/a 0 336
1994 179 1 24 166 0 n/a n/a 0 370
1995 208 1 17 177 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1996 208 1 17 177 0 n/a n/a 0 403
1998 183 2 28 153 0 n/a n/a 0 366
1999 206 3 30 156 0 n/a n/a 0 395
2000 176 0 24 206 0 n/a n/a 0 406
2001 180 1 24 204 0 n/a n/a 0 409
2002 156 2 23 216 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2003 156 2 23 216 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2004 142 1 15 203 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2005 133 7 18 211 0 n/a n/a 0 369
2006 149 4 19 204 2 n/a n/a 0 378
2007 137 5 25 206 2 n/a n/a 0 375
2008 125 4 25 201 0 n/a n/a 0 355
2009 115 3 37 221 0 0 0 0 376
2010 111 7 42 229 0 0 0 0 389
2011 103 9 39 268 0 0 0 0 419
2012 111 11 32 274 0 1 0 0 429
2013 112 14 26 267 0 1 0 0 420
2014 121 8 26 282 0 1 0 0 438
2015 108 9 23 289 0 1 0 0 430
2016 100 10 29 325 0 1 1 0 466
2017 87 12 36 317 0 1 3 0 456
2018 93 13 35 311 0 1 3 0 456
2019 68 8 36 324 0 0 2 0 438
2020 70 11 26 310 0 0 0 0 417
2021 53 5 27 349 0 0 2 0 436
2022 48 15 30 375 0 0 2 0 470
2023 48 16 34 394 0 0 2 0 494

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 Washington Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 420 27.0 15.5 n/a
1989 439 21.0 20.9 n/a
1990 454 25.0 18.1 11
1991 460 27.0 17.0 13.9
1992 344 24.0 14.3 14.8
1993 336 26.0 12.9 27.4
1994 370 25.0 14.8 26.5
1995 403 27.1 14.9 27.5
1996 403 27.1 14.9 27.5
1998 366 24.0 15.3 24.6
1999 395 24.0 16.5 22
2000 406 20.0 20.3 25.9
2001 409 20.2 20.2 32.5
2002 397 23.0 17.3 33
2003 397 23.0 17.3 33
2004 361 25.0 14.4 62.3
2005 369 23.0 16.0 n/a
2006 378 26.0 14.5 50.3
2007 375 27.0 13.9 68.3
2008 355 23.0 15.4 69
2009 376 31.5 10.7 78.7
2010 389 28.0 13.8 78.4
2011 419 31.0 13.5 83.3
2012 429 36.2 11.8 82.5
2013 420 36.0 11.6 81
2014 438 34.0 12.8 79.9
2015 430 36.0 11.9 80.7
2016 466 37.0 12.5 84.5
2017 456 36.8 12.3 78.9
2018 456 35.7 12.7 81.4
2019 438 36.0 12.1 81.1
2020 417 37.0 11.2 81.8
2021 436 36.0 12.1 83.3
2022 470 36.0 13.0 81.7
2023 494 36.6 13.4 81

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 Washington Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 420 27.0 15.5 n/a
1989 439 21.0 20.9 n/a
1990 454 25.0 18.1 11
1991 460 27.0 17.0 13.9
1992 344 24.0 14.3 14.8
1993 336 26.0 12.9 27.4
1994 370 25.0 14.8 26.5
1995 403 27.1 14.9 27.5
1996 403 27.1 14.9 27.5
1998 366 24.0 15.3 24.6
1999 395 24.0 16.5 22
2000 406 20.0 20.3 25.9
2001 409 20.2 20.2 32.5
2002 397 23.0 17.3 33
2003 397 23.0 17.3 33
2004 361 25.0 14.4 62.3
2005 369 23.0 16.0 n/a
2006 378 26.0 14.5 50.3
2007 375 27.0 13.9 68.3
2008 355 23.0 15.4 69
2009 376 31.5 10.7 78.7
2010 389 28.0 13.8 78.4
2011 419 31.0 13.5 83.3
2012 429 36.2 11.8 82.5
2013 420 36.0 11.6 81
2014 438 34.0 12.8 79.9
2015 430 36.0 11.9 80.7
2016 466 37.0 12.5 84.5
2017 456 36.8 12.3 78.9
2018 456 35.7 12.7 81.4
2019 438 36.0 12.1 81.1
2020 417 37.0 11.2 81.8
2021 436 36.0 12.1 83.3
2022 470 36.0 13.0 81.7
2023 494 36.6 13.4 81

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 Washington Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $607 (4.2%) $13,904 (95.8%) $14,511

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Washington 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 327th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 456th of 748 Middle schools
 17.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Washington Middle School)64.341.5
 22.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison Public Schools)64.341.5
 22.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Washington Middle School)3124.2
 6.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Harrison Public Schools)3124.2
 6.8%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Washington Middle School)72.743.4
 29.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison Public Schools)72.743.4
 29.3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Washington Middle School)33.420.3
 13.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Harrison Public Schools)33.420.3
 13.1%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Washington Middle School)68.258.5
 9.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Harrison Public Schools)68.258.5
 9.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Washington Middle School)33.67.9
 25.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Harrison Public Schools)33.67.9
 25.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Washington Middle School)83.357.2
 26.1%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Harrison Public Schools)83.357.2
 26.1%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Washington Middle School)83.357.2
 26.1%
   End of Course Algebra I (Harrison Public Schools)18.216.1
 2.1%
   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 Students438494
 12.8%
African American816
 100%
American Indian00
Asian3634
 5.6%
Hispanic324394
 21.6%
Pacific Islander00
White6848
 29.4%
Two or More Races22
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients81.1%81%
 0.1%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 494 students attended Washington Middle School.

Washington Middle School ranks 456th of 748 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Washington Middle School are 80% Hispanic, 10% White, 7% Asian, 3% African American.

Students who attend Washington Middle School usually go on to attend Harrison High 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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