Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus, Somerset NJ

Original Research by School Decision on Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus

Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus is a regular public school in Somerset, New Jersey, serving grades six through eight as part of the Franklin Township Public School District. It is one of the district’s middle schools, and its student body is large for a middle school.

The student population is predominantly Hispanic, with a strong Black presence as well, alongside smaller shares of White and Asian students. A substantial majority of students come from lower-income households, as measured by the share qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. For a family considering the school, these demographics mean the peer environment is one shaped by considerable economic diversity.

On state assessments, the school’s academic picture is mixed and gives a parent clear things to look into. In English language arts, about a third of students in each grade score at the proficient level or above, with the eighth grade showing a slightly higher share. In math, the results are much lower. Across the three grades, the share of students reaching proficiency drops sharply from sixth grade to eighth grade, and by eighth grade the rate is very small. In eighth-grade science, the proficiency rate is also very low. The school overall falls in the bottom quarter of districts in Somerset County on a composite proficiency measure. For a parent, this pattern raises a specific question about math instruction and whether the school provides adequate support for students who are behind grade level.

There is no data available on chronic absenteeism, discipline, or staffing. A parent may want to ask the school directly about those areas, as they often affect the day-to-day learning environment.

Somerset itself is a suburban census-designated place within Franklin Township. It has no traditional downtown; instead, shopping and commercial life are strung along arterial roads like Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard. Most residents drive to get around. The area is relatively affluent, with Somerset County ranking among the highest-income counties in the nation, but that affluence is not evenly distributed, and the school’s own demographics reflect a different slice of the local economy. The major employers in Somerset include SHI International, Catalent, and PIM Brands, and the area is connected by bus to New Brunswick and New York.

The school is located on Francis Street, and the surrounding housing market is expensive. Home values in the area are high, and rents are also steep, exceeding the national average. For a family looking to move into the attendance zone, affordability is a real challenge. Zillow’s data suggests that buying a home in the area is significantly more expensive than renting, and both options require a household income well above the national median to be comfortable.

There were no recent major changes or referenda identified in the Franklin Township district that would directly affect parents, so the school’s offerings and district policies appear stable for now.

For a parent evaluating Franklin Middle School at Hamilton Street Campus, the central consideration is the academic performance. The school serves a large, economically diverse population, but its test results are weak, particularly in math and science. A parent whose child needs strong math instruction or advanced academic challenge should look closely at what the school offers in those areas and how the school supports students toward grade-level mastery. For a family that values a large, diverse school in a stable suburban district and is prepared to supplement instruction at home or advocate for their child’s needs, this school could be a viable option. But the numbers suggest that catching up or staying on track academically requires active attention.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 624%

School 24% · District 24% · ▼ 1 pts below district

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▼ 27 pts below county median

Grade 711%

School 11% · District 13% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▼ 24 pts below state median · ▼ 36 pts below county median

Grade 85%

School 5% · District 5%

▼ 12 pts below state median · ▼ 26 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 637%

School 37% · District 44% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 30 pts below county median

Grade 736%

School 36% · District 44% · ▼ 8 pts below district

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 33 pts below county median

Grade 841%

School 41% · District 46% · ▼ 5 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 30 pts below county median

Science

Grade 87%

School 7% · District 9% · ▼ 2 pts below district

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▼ 24 pts below county median

This schoolFranklin Township Public School District, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income26%Higher-income54%28 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income29%Higher-income46%16 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income34%Higher-income50%16 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income13%Higher-income39%26 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income10%Higher-income12%2 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income4%Higher-income5%1 pp gap