The top reported proficiency rate is 10% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Grace a Dunn Middle School
Grace A Dunn Middle School is a regular public school serving seventh and eighth graders in the heart of Trenton, New Jersey’s state capital. As part of the Trenton Public School District, it occupies a single mid-century building on Dayton Street in a dense residential neighborhood of the city. The school enrolls a sizable student body for a two-grade middle school, drawing almost entirely from the surrounding urban community.
The academic picture at Grace A Dunn is shaped by state assessment results that show very low proficiency rates across all tested subjects. On the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, a small share of students met the state’s proficiency benchmarks in English language arts, and in math the share was even smaller. Science results among eighth graders were similarly low. Compared to other districts in Mercer County, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quarter, meaning that most of its peers in the county post stronger outcomes. Because Grace A Dunn serves only middle school grades, there is no graduation rate to examine, and data on chronic absenteeism was not available for this reporting period.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a substantial Black enrollment and very small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic groups. A meaningful share of students come from low-income households, as measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. Information about students with disabilities and English learners was not present in the available data, so a full picture of the special populations served is incomplete.
Trenton itself is a dense, transit-rich capital city. Its economy is now driven largely by state government, though it retains pockets of manufacturing and warehousing. The city is served by Amtrak, NJ Transit, and SEPTA commuter rail, making it unusually well-connected for a city of its size. The downtown area along the Delaware River holds the State House, city hall, and historic districts. Housing in the zip code that serves the school is more affordable than the New Jersey statewide average, with home values and rents both below the state benchmark. For families considering the area, this may make the city accessible relative to nearby suburbs, though the school’s academic performance is an important factor to weigh.
The district has recently introduced a cell-phone-free policy using Yondr pouches, a lasting change that locks phones away during the school day. This represents a clear shift in daily student experience and family communication expectations. Separately, the district is developing a new strategic plan—called the 3R’s Strategic Plan—and has invited community input. A parent moving into the area might want to learn more about how that plan will address instructional priorities and resource allocation, especially given the school’s current attainment levels.
Grace A Dunn Middle School serves a predominantly Hispanic and low-income urban population in a capital city with strong transit connections and relatively modest housing costs. Its academic results are well below the county average, and a parent considering the school would do well to investigate what academic supports, interventions, and enrichment opportunities are in place, as well as how the district’s forthcoming strategic plan intends to raise student performance. The cell-phone policy and active planning process show that the district is not standing still, but the gap between current outcomes and state benchmarks is wide.
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