Joseph Jenks Middle School

Summary:

Joseph Jenks Middle School is a public middle school located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 622 students. The school is part of the Pawtucket School District, which is ranked 45 out of 60 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Joseph Jenks Middle School consistently performs below the Pawtucket district and state averages in RICAS (Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System) English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 9.8% of all students at Joseph Jenks were proficient or better in ELA, compared to 16.3% for the Pawtucket district. In Mathematics, the proficiency rate was 7% for Joseph Jenks, compared to 17.5% for Pawtucket. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Rhode Island middle schools, ranking 57th out of 64 in the 2023-2024 school year and receiving a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, the lowest possible rating.

When comparing Joseph Jenks Middle School to other nearby middle schools in the Pawtucket district, such as Samuel Slater Middle School and Lyman B. Goff Middle School, the academic performance is consistently lower. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the ELA proficiency rate at Lyman B. Goff Middle School was 17.3%, significantly higher than the 9.8% at Joseph Jenks. Additionally, Joseph Jenks Middle School is in close proximity to higher-performing middle schools in other districts, such as Birchwood Middle School in North Providence and Joseph L. McCourt Middle School in Cumberland, further highlighting the challenges faced by Joseph Jenks Middle School.

Detail:

Public 6-8

350 Division Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860

(401) 729-6520

District: Pawtucket

SchoolDigger Rank:
57^th of 64 Rhode Island Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,328

Students who attend Joseph Jenks Middle School usually attend:

High:

William E. Tolman High

Feeder schools for Joseph Jenks Middle School:

Elementary:	Agnes E. Little School
	Cunningham School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.0

Number of students: 631

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

39.0%

African American:

32.2%

White:

22.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 68%

See top rated Rhode Island middle schools

Compare Joseph Jenks Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Joseph Jenks Middle School ranks worse than 89.1% of middle schools in Rhode Island. It also ranks 2^nd among 3 ranked middle schools in the Pawtucket School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.7. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Joseph Jenks Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Pawtucket School District. Student population at Joseph Jenks Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (39%), African American (32.2%), White (22.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 68% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Joseph Jenks Middle School is 14, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Pawtucket School District! (See more...)

Compare Joseph Jenks Middle School employs 45 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Joseph Jenks Middle School is $12,328. 1 middle schools in the Pawtucket School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Joseph Jenks Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Joseph Jenks Middle School 57^th of 64 Rhode Island public middle schools. (See Joseph Jenks Middle School in the ranking list.)

Pawtucket:

SchoolDigger ranks Pawtucket 45^th of 60 Rhode Island school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Joseph Jenks Middle School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Joseph Jenks Middle School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Joseph Jenks Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	9.53	45^th	53	15.1%
2010	16.58	46^th	54	14.8%
2011	14.01	43^rd	49	12.2%
2012	13.47	40^th	48	16.7%
2013	12.83	42^nd	48	12.5%
2014	15.40	41^st	49	16.3%
2015	9.26	54^th	59	8.5%
2016	8.18	57^th	59	3.4%
2017	10.05	52^nd	57	8.8%
2018	8.02	51^st	53	3.8%
2019	10.03	54^th	61	11.5%
2021	11.72	55^th	62	11.3%
2022	13.81	51^st	60	15.0%
2023	11.80	57^th	64	10.9%
2024	10.70	57^th	64	10.9%

See the entire list of Rhode Island Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Rhode Island Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Jenks merged with JMW preforming arts school...since then it has ranked very high on state tests...the Students have unbelievable talent and the Administrators, teachers and staff are very dedicated to their school and student body...with 100 min a day in arts (music, dance, theater, art) and still keeping a balance with studies..this has become one of the top schools in the city of Pawtucket. The school went from school that would have students fighting outside the building almost on a weekly basis to none since the merg...The principle and Vice principle are always ontop of the student body to do and be their best... Close Quote

Enrollment information for Joseph Jenks Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	413	81	7	72	3	n/a	n/a	576
1989	398	87	6	74	1	n/a	n/a	566
1990	409	95	8	83	6	n/a	n/a	601
1991	383	122	9	83	4	n/a	n/a	601
1992	334	94	4	118	5	n/a	n/a	555
1993	328	69	2	166	5	n/a	n/a	570
1994	304	56	3	139	3	n/a	n/a	505
1995	371	103	3	171	3	n/a	n/a	651
1996	371	103	3	171	3	n/a	n/a	651
1997	339	110	1	157	4	n/a	n/a	611
1998	367	120	3	204	3	n/a	n/a	697
1999	338	116	7	209	2	n/a	n/a	672
2000	320	136	8	226	3	n/a	n/a	693
2001	314	144	11	259	3	n/a	n/a	731
2002	292	163	10	293	5	n/a	n/a	763
2003	292	163	10	293	5	n/a	n/a	763
2004	278	160	10	307	3	n/a	n/a	758
2005	236	153	6	282	1	n/a	n/a	678
2006	193	161	7	266	1	n/a	n/a	628
2007	177	114	3	223	5	n/a	n/a	522
2008	166	117	4	186	4	n/a	n/a	477
2009	136	88	7	154	3	n/a	n/a	388
2010	136	71	7	159	3	n/a	n/a	376
2011	61	49	0	153	2	0	27	292
2012	81	74	1	130	3	0	25	314
2013	112	81	2	109	5	0	22	331
2014	134	81	1	121	5	0	25	367
2015	163	114	2	163	2	0	27	471
2016	163	149	2	205	2	0	42	563
2017	166	152	4	220	4	0	40	586
2018	178	156	5	224	6	0	45	614
2019	200	170	4	238	6	1	47	666
2020	197	185	4	255	4	1	45	691
2021	183	195	3	260	5	2	51	699
2022	155	174	2	246	3	2	46	628
2023	147	187	3	233	6	1	45	622
2024	142	203	3	246	7	0	30	631

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 Joseph Jenks Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	576	n/a	n/a	34.7
1989	566	n/a	n/a	43.6
1990	601	n/a	n/a	43.6
1991	601	53.0	11.3	42.4
1992	555	52.0	10.6	53.2
1993	570	48.0	11.9	51.8
1994	505	46.0	11.0	61
1995	651	53.0	12.3	70
1996	651	53.0	12.3	70
1997	611	55.5	11.0	67.1
1998	697	60.0	11.6	70.6
1999	672	60.0	11.2	89
2000	693	61.4	11.3	75
2001	731	63.6	11.5	90.2
2002	763	n/a	n/a	67
2003	763	n/a	n/a	67
2004	758	77.0	9.8	84.2
2005	678	61.0	11.1	78.2
2006	628	68.0	9.2	86.1
2007	522	38.0	13.7	87.7
2008	477	40.0	11.9	82.4
2009	388	37.0	7.9	84.8
2010	376	36.0	10.4	87.2
2011	292	32.0	9.1	84.6
2012	314	29.0	10.8	84.1
2013	331	28.7	11.5	82.8
2014	367	32.0	11.4	86.6
2015	471	31.0	15.1	85.8
2016	563	34.0	16.5	84.2
2017	586	40.7	14.3	70.6
2018	614	42.7	14.3	69.4
2019	666	46.0	14.4	82.4
2020	691	49.0	14.0	81.3
2021	699	43.1	16.2	78.4
2022	628	46.0	13.6	78.2
2023	622	48.0	12.9	61.9
2024	631	45.0	14.0	68

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 Joseph Jenks Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	576	n/a	n/a	34.7
1989	566	n/a	n/a	43.6
1990	601	n/a	n/a	43.6
1991	601	53.0	11.3	42.4
1992	555	52.0	10.6	53.2
1993	570	48.0	11.9	51.8
1994	505	46.0	11.0	61
1995	651	53.0	12.3	70
1996	651	53.0	12.3	70
1997	611	55.5	11.0	67.1
1998	697	60.0	11.6	70.6
1999	672	60.0	11.2	89
2000	693	61.4	11.3	75
2001	731	63.6	11.5	90.2
2002	763	n/a	n/a	67
2003	763	n/a	n/a	67
2004	758	77.0	9.8	84.2
2005	678	61.0	11.1	78.2
2006	628	68.0	9.2	86.1
2007	522	38.0	13.7	87.7
2008	477	40.0	11.9	82.4
2009	388	37.0	7.9	84.8
2010	376	36.0	10.4	87.2
2011	292	32.0	9.1	84.6
2012	314	29.0	10.8	84.1
2013	331	28.7	11.5	82.8
2014	367	32.0	11.4	86.6
2015	471	31.0	15.1	85.8
2016	563	34.0	16.5	84.2
2017	586	40.7	14.3	70.6
2018	614	42.7	14.3	69.4
2019	666	46.0	14.4	82.4
2020	691	49.0	14.0	81.3
2021	699	43.1	16.2	78.4
2022	628	46.0	13.6	78.2
2023	622	48.0	12.9	61.9
2024	631	45.0	14.0	68

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 Joseph Jenks Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$412 (3.4%)	$11,550 (96.5%)	$11,963
2019	$713 (5.9%)	$11,394 (94.1%)	$12,107
2020	$758 (6.2%)	$11,482 (93.8%)	$12,240
2021	$1,555 (12.6%)	$10,773 (87.4%)	$12,328

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Joseph Jenks 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 54^th of 61 Middle schools	Ranks 57^th of 64 Middle schools	0.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	21.8	16.3	5.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pawtucket)	30	15.2	14.8%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	39.1	31.9	7.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	13.7	8.7	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Pawtucket)	13.9	11.6	2.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	28	28.7	0.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	5.1	9.2	4.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pawtucket)	10.9	9.9	1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	31.5	29	2.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	8.2	7	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Pawtucket)	10	9.5	0.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	27.6	25.7	1.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	6.4	14.2	7.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pawtucket)	19	13.8	5.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	36.3	32.2	4.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	5	5.8	0.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Pawtucket)	9.3	7.4	1.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	24.5	20.8	3.7%
All Grades English Language Arts (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	11.1	13.3	2.2%
All Grades English Language Arts (Pawtucket)	24.3	17.2	7.1%
All Grades Mathematics (Joseph Jenks Middle School)	9	6.3	2.7%
All Grades Mathematics (Pawtucket)	17.8	16.9	0.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	666	622	6.6%
African American	170	187	10%
American Indian	6	6
Asian	4	3	25%
Hispanic	238	233	2.1%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	200	147	26.5%
Two or More Races	47	45	4.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	82.4%	61.9%	20.5%

Schools Near Joseph Jenks Middle School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				NGSA Science (2024)	RICAS English Language Arts (2024)					RICAS Mathematics (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSA Science All Grades	RICAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts All Grades	RICAS Mathematics 5th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 6th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 7th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 8th Grade	RICAS Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Joseph Jenks Middle School	Public	6-8	350 Division Street	Pawtucket	02860	Providence County	Pawtucket	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 729-6520	631	45	14.0	68.0%	142 (22.5%)	203 (32.2%)	246 (39.0%)	3 (0.5%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (4.8%)	10.7	57^th of 64 public middle schools	10.9%		11.8	57^th of 64 public middle schools	10.9%		6.8		5.6	11.3	12.4	9.8		7.0	7.7	6.3	7.0	$12,328	$1,555	$10,773
Lyman B. Goff Middle School	Public	6-8	974 Newport Avenue	Pawtucket	02861	Providence County	Pawtucket	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 729-6500	630	46	13.6	42.4%	246 (39.0%)	126 (20.0%)	216 (34.3%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	34 (5.4%)	19.5	48^th of 64 public middle schools	25.0%		21	49^th of 64 public middle schools	23.4%	1	15.5		17.1	19.5	15.2	17.3		13.5	15.1	8.0	12.3	$12,407	$1,088	$11,319
Calcutt Middle School	Public	6-8	112 Washington Street	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Central Falls	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 727-7726	469	34	13.7	94.0%	113 (24.1%)	101 (21.5%)	205 (43.7%)	3 (0.6%)	29 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (3.6%)	9.9	61^st of 64 public middle schools	4.7%					(n/a)				6.7				6.5				$12,483	$2,186	$10,296
Raices Upper Dual Language Acd	Public	6-8	112 Washington Street	Central falls	02863	Providence County	Central Falls	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(401) 727-7733	61	3	20.3	95.1%	6 (9.8%)	1 (1.6%)	52 (85.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)					5.9
Samuel Slater Middle School	Public	6-8	281 Mineral Spring Avenue	Pawtucket	02860	Providence County	Pawtucket	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 729-6480	589	46	12.8	71.1%	108 (18.3%)	251 (42.6%)	192 (32.6%)	4 (0.7%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (4.9%)	9.5	62^nd of 64 public middle schools	3.1%		9.8	59^th of 64 public middle schools	7.8%	3	8.2				9.5	5.6		5.5		6.3	5.3	$11,352	$1,328	$10,024
Blackstone Valley Prep Junior High	Public, Charter	7-8	909 Lonsdale	Central Falls	02863	Providence County	Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 331-3533	326	29	11.2	71.8%	48 (14.7%)	71 (21.8%)	199 (61.0%)	5 (1.5%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55.6	27^th of 64 public middle schools	57.8%		54	29^th of 64 public middle schools	54.7%	2	28.2			25.3	27.1	26.2			44.0	46.8	45.3	$13,501	$1,230	$12,271
Blackstone Valley Prep Upper E	Public, Charter	5-6	3 Fairlawn Way	Lincoln	02865	Providence County	Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 649-0481	391	23	17.0	67.3%	71 (18.2%)	93 (23.8%)	197 (50.4%)	16 (4.1%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (2.6%)								(n/a)	19.2	22.3	18.7			20.6	13.1	14.3			13.7	$10,117	$747	$9,370
Nathan Bishop Middle	Public	6-8	101 Sessions Street	Providence	02906	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9344	669	47	14.2	74.4%	100 (14.9%)	126 (18.8%)	345 (51.6%)	26 (3.9%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	42 (6.3%)	22.9	45^th of 64 public middle schools	29.7%		24.6	42^nd of 64 public middle schools	34.4%	3	12.9		13.8	23.4	23.6	19.8		17.7	17.1	9.5	14.9	$20,567	$1,696	$18,871
Esek Hopkins Middle	Public	6-8	480 Charles Street	Providence	02904	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9203	393	32	12.2	84.5%	33 (8.4%)	74 (18.8%)	242 (61.6%)	9 (2.3%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.1%)								(n/a)												$18,849	$1,488	$17,362
Joseph L. McCourt Middle School	Public	6-8	45 Highland Avenue	Cumberland	02864	Providence County	Cumberland	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 725-2092	461	38	12.1	34.9%	298 (64.6%)	27 (5.9%)	108 (23.4%)	10 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.9%)	52.8	28^th of 64 public middle schools	56.3%		60.3	24^th of 64 public middle schools	62.5%	4	25.9		45.3	23.9	40.4	36.2		42.7	25.8	20.4	29.7	$14,962	$709	$14,253

Frequently Asked Questions about Joseph Jenks Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Joseph Jenks Middle School?

Students at Joseph Jenks Middle School are 39% Hispanic, 32% African American, 23% White, 5% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

Is Joseph Jenks Middle School a good school?

Joseph Jenks Middle School ranks in the bottom 10.9% of Rhode Island middle schools.

How many students attend Joseph Jenks Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 631 students attended Joseph Jenks Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Joseph Jenks Middle School attend?

Students who attend Joseph Jenks Middle School usually go on to attend William E. Tolman High

What district is Joseph Jenks Middle School in?

Pawtucket

Rate Joseph Jenks Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

RIRhode Island Middle School Rankings

RIRhode Island District Rankings

Schools in Pawtucket, RI

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Joseph Jenks Middle School!

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