Kawameeh Middle School, Union NJ

Original Research by School Decision on Kawameeh Middle School

Kawameeh Middle School serves grades five through eight in the Township of Union School District, a position that is changing as the district implements a major reorganization. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all sixth graders will attend Kawameeh or its counterpart, Burnet Middle School, while elementary buildings shift to PreK through four and Jefferson School reopens as a full PreK through five primary school. This restructuring is one of several recent parent-relevant changes in a district that also saw voters approve a referendum for facility upgrades including roof replacements, security vestibules, and HVAC improvements across all schools.

Kawameeh itself is a regular public school, and the student body is diverse. Black and Hispanic students each make up a sizable share of enrollment, with a substantial white population and a smaller but present Asian student group. A notable portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need.

Looking at state assessment results, the picture is mixed and varies sharply by subject and grade. In English language arts, the school posts solid numbers. Students in grades six and eight show a strong rate of proficiency on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, with grade seven not far behind. These are areas of clear strength. However, in mathematics, the results are softer. Grade six, while the strongest of the three tested grades here, still shows a rate of proficiency that is well behind the ELA numbers. Grade seven is similar. Grade eight presents a steeper challenge, with a very low proficiency rate that a parent may want to look into further with the school. Science, tested in grade eight, also shows a low proficiency rate. Overall, when compared against other districts in Union County, Kawameeh’s combined proficiency across all tested subjects and grades sits slightly above the middle of the pack, which suggests that the ELA performance is carrying the overall figure.

Enrollment is typical for a middle school of this type, and the school serves a community that is a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Union Township is a car-oriented suburb traversed by major highways and served by NJ Transit rail. The area is growing; population has increased steadily over recent years, and the community hosts Kean University as a major institutional employer as well as a large Home Depot superstore and some light and heavy industry. Housing values in the area are above the national benchmark for the broader market but roughly in line with the state average, reflecting the region’s affordability challenges. Rents are similarly high relative to income, which is a consideration for families looking to move into the district.

What are not available in the data are details on discipline, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, course access, special education identification rates, or English learner data. The school’s Title I status is not listed. The graduation rate is not applicable, as Kawameeh serves only middle school grades. A parent seeking a fuller picture of student support, program breadth, and school climate would need to contact the school directly or review materials the district publishes.

Kawameeh Middle School offers a mixed academic profile with a clear strength in literacy, a weaker showing in math and science, and a set of demographics that reflect the community it serves. The ongoing district reorganization and facility investments signal a system in motion, which may bring changes to the student experience in the coming years.

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Academic performance

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

Math

Grade 636%

School 36% · District 31% · ▲ 6 pts above district

▲ 3 pts above state median · ▲ 10 pts above county median

Grade 736%

School 36% · District 32% · ▲ 4 pts above district

▲ 1 pts above state median · ▲ 14 pts above county median

Grade 811%

School 11% · District 11%

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▼ 1 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 672%

School 72% · District 59% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 18 pts above state median · ▲ 19 pts above county median

Grade 757%

School 57% · District 51% · ▲ 6 pts above district

even with state median · ▲ 2 pts above county median

Grade 871%

School 71% · District 53% · ▲ 18 pts above district

▲ 13 pts above state median · ▲ 13 pts above county median

Science

Grade 820%

School 20% · District 15% · ▲ 4 pts above district

▲ 7 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

This schoolTownship of Union 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-income64%Higher-income78%14 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income49%Higher-income63%14 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income60%Higher-income79%18 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income23%Higher-income46%23 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income27%Higher-income44%17 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income10%Higher-income13%3 pp gap