South Plainfield Middle School

Summary:

South Plainfield Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 7-8 in South Plainfield, New Jersey, which is part of the South Plainfield School District. The school has a diverse student population, with 35.34% White, 13.36% African American, 33.84% Hispanic, and 14.22% Asian students.

South Plainfield Middle School consistently outperforms the state average on NJSLA assessments, particularly in English Language Arts and Algebra I. The school ranks highly for African American and Hispanic students, and performs well for female students. While the school's chronic absenteeism rate has fluctuated, it is still lower than many nearby schools, such as North Plainfield Middle School and Maxson Middle School. Additionally, South Plainfield Middle School has a relatively low percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch compared to nearby schools in higher-poverty communities.

While South Plainfield Middle School is a solid-performing school, there are some areas of concern. The school's ranking for Asian students is relatively low, and the school's ranking for special education students has declined in recent years. However, the school generally outperforms many of the nearby middle schools, particularly those in the North Plainfield and Plainfield districts, which have lower overall academic performance and higher rates of poverty and chronic absenteeism.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 2201 Plainfield Avenue
       South Plainfield, NJ  07080


(908) 754-4620

District: South Plainfield School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
277th of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $6,939 Help


Students who attend South Plainfield Middle School usually attend:

High:    South Plainfield High School

Feeder schools for South Plainfield Middle School:

Elementary:    Franklin Elementary School
    John E. Riley Elementary School
    John F Kennedy Elementary School
    Roosevelt Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  8.9 Help
Number of students:  464

Racial breakdown:

White:
35.3%
Hispanic:
33.8%
Asian:
14.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  29.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Plainfield Middle School ranks better than 63% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 58.9. (See more...)
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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 South Plainfield Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (35.3%), Hispanic (33.8%), Asian (14.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 29.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Plainfield Middle School is 8.9. (See more...)
Help
Compare South Plainfield Middle School employs 51.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Plainfield Middle School is $6,939.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

South Plainfield Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Plainfield Middle School 277th of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See South Plainfield Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


South Plainfield School District:

SchoolDigger ranks South Plainfield School District 329th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Plainfield Middle School

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Rank History for all students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 55.69 344th 574 40.1%
2004 67.88 245th 588 58.3%
2005 68.73 242nd 599 59.6%
2006 71.10 230th 615 62.6%
2007 71.10 219th 631 65.3%
2008 65.60 272nd 640 57.5%
2009 67.33 272nd 664 59.0%
2010 68.10 267th 677 60.6%
2011 68.77 238th 684 65.2%
2012 64.61 299th 677 55.8%
2013 61.30 325th 704 53.8%
2014 59.44 346th 717 51.7%
2015 65.86 209th 713 70.7%
2016 64.30 228th 713 68.0%
2017 48.25 361st 712 49.3%
2018 48.18 380th 716 46.9%
2019 52.33 358th 745 51.9%
2022 64.35 228th 745 69.4%
2023 58.90 277th 748 63.0%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 61.41 57th 270 78.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.51 340th 471 27.8%
2019 26.85 377th 492 23.4%
2022 54.93 164th 535 69.3%
2023 53.42 179th 505 64.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.80 221st 522 57.7%
2019 56.37 191st 541 64.7%
2022 63.79 97th 549 82.3%
2023 55.56 183rd 568 67.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.02 361st 680 46.9%
2019 54.84 333rd 703 52.6%
2022 65.85 211th 726 70.9%
2023 66.57 216th 720 70.0%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.92 361st 675 46.5%
2019 48.93 354th 697 49.2%
2022 60.45 243rd 730 66.7%
2023 45.58 354th 718 50.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.86 173rd 200 13.5%
2019 20.94 163rd 199 18.1%
2022 45.07 120th 200 40.0%
2023 29.25 153rd 201 23.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.56 86th 326 73.6%
2019 64.57 86th 326 73.6%
2022 81.24 32nd 356 91.0%
2023 74.68 56th 361 84.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.82 247th 504 51.0%
2019 51.58 241st 524 54.0%
2022 64.57 146th 591 75.3%
2023 49.39 253rd 587 56.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at South Plainfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.95 324th 497 34.8%
2019 44.79 292nd 504 42.1%
2022 52.99 223rd 512 56.4%
2023 57.68 201st 509 60.5%
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.

South Plainfield 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 South Plainfield Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 597 52 35 31 0 n/a n/a 0 715
1989 609 56 30 36 0 n/a n/a 0 731
1990 591 65 22 35 6 n/a n/a 0 719
1991 566 80 29 42 0 n/a n/a 0 717
1992 532 71 36 48 0 n/a n/a 0 687
1993 550 66 60 31 0 n/a n/a 0 707
1994 538 64 51 50 0 n/a n/a 0 703
1995 558 92 62 53 0 n/a n/a 0 765
1996 558 92 62 53 0 n/a n/a 0 765
1998 568 93 61 56 0 n/a n/a 0 778
1999 619 86 81 72 1 n/a n/a 0 859
2000 575 92 92 78 1 n/a n/a 0 838
2001 375 72 69 55 1 n/a n/a 0 572
2002 414 82 54 90 2 n/a n/a 0 642
2003 414 82 54 90 2 n/a n/a 0 642
2004 392 72 52 79 1 n/a n/a 0 596
2005 385 74 69 78 1 n/a n/a 0 607
2006 396 68 62 93 4 n/a n/a 0 623
2007 396 68 62 93 4 n/a n/a 0 623
2008 371 72 63 113 0 n/a n/a 0 619
2009 338 80 62 110 0 3 0 0 593
2010 318 88 64 108 1 2 0 0 581
2011 319 73 65 121 1 2 0 0 581
2012 298 84 65 105 0 2 0 0 554
2013 275 102 65 111 1 3 1 0 558
2014 268 83 73 125 1 2 1 0 553
2015 238 72 77 120 1 1 0 0 509
2016 236 77 80 127 1 2 0 0 523
2017 255 84 78 140 0 3 0 0 560
2018 242 88 79 148 0 3 0 0 560
2019 232 79 71 146 0 2 5 0 535
2020 225 77 79 156 0 3 6 0 546
2021 217 75 77 151 0 3 5 1 529
2022 196 63 66 146 0 4 10 0 485
2023 164 62 66 157 1 4 9 1 464

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 South Plainfield Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 715 68.0 10.5 n/a
1989 731 68.0 10.7 n/a
1990 719 69.0 10.4 3.3
1991 717 67.0 10.7 4.5
1992 687 67.0 10.2 6.7
1993 707 63.0 11.2 6.5
1994 703 61.0 11.5 6.1
1995 765 60.6 12.6 7.1
1996 765 60.6 12.6 7.1
1998 778 65.0 12.0 9
1999 859 63.4 13.5 7.7
2000 838 68.0 12.3 16.1
2001 572 68.2 8.4 15.6
2002 642 52.2 12.3 14.8
2003 642 52.2 12.3 14.8
2004 596 53.2 11.2 12.4
2005 607 57.0 10.6 n/a
2006 623 54.0 11.5 11.4
2007 623 54.0 11.5 11.4
2008 619 46.0 13.5 16.3
2009 593 52.7 9.7 19.4
2010 581 47.0 12.3 24.8
2011 581 45.0 12.9 23.1
2012 554 49.5 11.1 27.1
2013 558 51.1 10.9 28.7
2014 553 51.7 10.6 29.8
2015 509 52.0 9.7 30.6
2016 523 52.0 10.0 31
2017 560 54.0 10.3 30.9
2018 560 48.1 11.6 27.1
2019 535 50.7 10.5 23
2020 546 53.5 10.1 22
2021 529 54.8 9.6 20.8
2022 485 54.4 8.9 20.2
2023 464 51.7 8.9 29.5

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 South Plainfield Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 715 68.0 10.5 n/a
1989 731 68.0 10.7 n/a
1990 719 69.0 10.4 3.3
1991 717 67.0 10.7 4.5
1992 687 67.0 10.2 6.7
1993 707 63.0 11.2 6.5
1994 703 61.0 11.5 6.1
1995 765 60.6 12.6 7.1
1996 765 60.6 12.6 7.1
1998 778 65.0 12.0 9
1999 859 63.4 13.5 7.7
2000 838 68.0 12.3 16.1
2001 572 68.2 8.4 15.6
2002 642 52.2 12.3 14.8
2003 642 52.2 12.3 14.8
2004 596 53.2 11.2 12.4
2005 607 57.0 10.6 n/a
2006 623 54.0 11.5 11.4
2007 623 54.0 11.5 11.4
2008 619 46.0 13.5 16.3
2009 593 52.7 9.7 19.4
2010 581 47.0 12.3 24.8
2011 581 45.0 12.9 23.1
2012 554 49.5 11.1 27.1
2013 558 51.1 10.9 28.7
2014 553 51.7 10.6 29.8
2015 509 52.0 9.7 30.6
2016 523 52.0 10.0 31
2017 560 54.0 10.3 30.9
2018 560 48.1 11.6 27.1
2019 535 50.7 10.5 23
2020 546 53.5 10.1 22
2021 529 54.8 9.6 20.8
2022 485 54.4 8.9 20.2
2023 464 51.7 8.9 29.5

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 South Plainfield Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $255 (3.7%) $6,684 (96.3%) $6,939

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

Impact of COVID-19 on South Plainfield 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 358th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 277th of 748 Middle schools
 11%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (South Plainfield Middle School)67.152
 15.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (South Plainfield School District)67.151.7
 15.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (South Plainfield Middle School)43.136.6
 6.5%
   7th Grade Mathematics (South Plainfield School District)43.136.5
 6.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (South Plainfield Middle School)62.760.9
 1.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (South Plainfield School District)62.760.9
 1.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (South Plainfield Middle School)18.723.4
 4.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (South Plainfield School District)18.723.4
 4.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (South Plainfield Middle School)86.992.5
 5.6%
   8th Grade Algebra I (South Plainfield School District)86.992.5
 5.6%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
End of Course Algebra I (South Plainfield Middle School)86.992.5
 5.6%
   End of Course Algebra I (South Plainfield School District)44.541.4
 3.1%
   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 Students535464
 13.3%
African American7962
 21.5%
American Indian01
Asian7166
 7%
Hispanic146157
 7.5%
Pacific Islander24
 100%
White232164
 29.3%
Two or More Races59
 80%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients23%29.5%
 6.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about South Plainfield Middle School

Students at South Plainfield Middle School are 35% White, 34% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 13% African American, 2% Two or more races.

South Plainfield Middle School ranks 277th of 748 New Jersey middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 464 students attended South Plainfield Middle School.

Students who attend South Plainfield Middle School usually go on to attend South Plainfield 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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