William J. Johnston Middle School

Summary:

William J. Johnston Middle School is a high-performing public middle school in Colchester, Connecticut, serving 477 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Colchester School District, which is ranked 66 out of 158 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

William J. Johnston Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in Connecticut, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger in the 2023-2024 school year. The school's students significantly outperform the state average in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in 2023-2024, 73.1% of 8th-grade students were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the state average of 49.1%. The school also has a low student-teacher ratio of 11:1, which may contribute to its strong academic performance.

While the school's academic achievements are impressive, its student population is predominantly white, with only 2.52% African American, 7.97% Hispanic, and 3.56% Asian students. Additionally, the school serves a relatively high-income student population, with only 22.43% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. This socioeconomic advantage may be a factor in the school's success, but it also highlights the need to ensure that all student subgroups, including those from diverse backgrounds and lower-income families, are achieving at high levels. Nearby schools like Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School and Teachers' Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School in the Norwich School District may offer more diverse student populations and different approaches to education that could be worth exploring.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 360 Norwich Ave.
       Colchester, CT  06415


(860) 537-2313

District: Colchester School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
53rd of 250 Connecticut Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,808 Help


Students who attend William J. Johnston Middle School usually attend:

High:    Bacon Academy

Feeder schools for William J. Johnston Middle School:

Elementary:    Colchester Elementary School
    Jack Jackter Intermediate School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.6 Help
Number of students:  470

Racial breakdown:

White:
82.3%
Hispanic:
8.3%
Two or more races:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  25.5% Help


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 Compare William J. Johnston Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details William J. Johnston Middle School ranks better than 78.8% of middle schools in Connecticut. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 79.1. (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 Racial makeup is: White (82.3%), Hispanic (8.3%), two or more races (4.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 25.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at William J. Johnston Middle School is 10.6. (See more...)
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Compare William J. Johnston Middle School employs 44 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at William J. Johnston Middle School is $20,808.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

William J. Johnston Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks William J. Johnston Middle School 53rd of 250 Connecticut public middle schools. (See William J. Johnston Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Colchester School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Colchester School District 66th of 158 Connecticut school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for William J. Johnston Middle School?

Rank History for William J. Johnston Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 73.09 71st 248 71.4%
2007 70.19 93rd 250 62.8%
2008 73.87 78th 252 69.0%
2009 67.60 111th 255 56.5%
2010 75.83 71st 268 73.5%
2011 73.63 85th 269 68.4%
2012 74.28 81st 272 70.2%
2013 75.70 70th 278 74.8%
2015 83.57 48th 280 82.9%
2016 75.00 65th 246 73.6%
2017 79.78 54th 250 78.4%
2018 84.94 32nd 249 87.1%
2019 81.91 51st 259 80.3%
2021 82.19 53rd 275 80.7%
2022 85.20 37th 250 85.2%
2023 82.57 41st 249 83.5%
2024 79.10 53rd 250 78.8%
See the entire list of Connecticut Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 70.76 56th 244 77.0%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 78.52 19th 104 81.7%
2021 73.30 47th 218 78.4%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.35 32nd 160 80.0%
2019 76.74 36th 169 78.7%
2021 82.68 37th 235 84.3%
2022 79.18 35th 166 78.9%
2023 77.34 35th 160 78.1%
2024 72.12 47th 161 70.8%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 58.13 38th 104 63.5%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.75 32nd 164 80.5%
2019 72.67 61st 167 63.5%
2021 76.54 53rd 224 76.3%
2022 80.99 31st 169 81.7%
2023 76.22 39th 158 75.3%
2024 73.01 41st 157 73.9%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at William J. Johnston Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools CT State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 73.83 40th 168 76.2%
2019 68.55 53rd 166 68.1%
2021 65.65 55th 175 68.6%
2022 72.60 39th 151 74.2%
2023 67.25 48th 158 69.6%
2024 60.81 62nd 154 59.7%
See the entire list of Best Connecticut Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Connecticut 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.

William J. Johnston Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
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Data source: Connecticut State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, August 3, 2019

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Enrollment information for William J. Johnston Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 236 6 2 1 4 n/a n/a 0 249
1989 358 9 0 1 2 n/a n/a 0 370
1990 361 3 n/a 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 365
1991 376 11 1 5 1 n/a n/a 0 394
1992 406 15 2 4 0 n/a n/a 0 427
1993 418 11 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 434
1994 451 12 4 0 2 n/a n/a 0 469
1995 500 11 2 3 6 n/a n/a 0 522
1996 500 11 2 3 6 n/a n/a 0 522
1997 563 8 1 9 8 n/a n/a 0 589
1998 598 9 5 8 2 n/a n/a 0 622
1999 621 6 5 8 1 n/a n/a 0 641
2000 629 18 4 8 1 n/a n/a 0 660
2001 631 17 4 14 6 n/a n/a 0 672
2002 695 20 5 16 4 n/a n/a 0 740
2003 695 20 5 16 4 n/a n/a 0 740
2004 710 21 6 13 3 n/a n/a 0 753
2005 720 26 8 19 3 n/a n/a 0 776
2006 691 21 10 16 3 n/a n/a 0 741
2007 735 31 7 21 3 n/a n/a 0 797
2008 727 33 8 28 4 n/a n/a 0 800
2009 683 31 8 35 6 n/a n/a 0 763
2010 671 29 13 42 6 n/a n/a 0 761
2011 621 24 10 39 10 0 1 0 705
2012 621 23 14 32 7 0 3 0 700
2013 622 19 14 30 8 0 8 0 701
2014 596 17 15 27 5 0 8 0 668
2015 566 14 12 19 7 0 8 0 626
2016 536 13 18 19 4 0 10 0 600
2017 523 13 22 25 4 0 18 0 605
2018 490 8 18 27 2 0 26 0 571
2019 440 7 16 36 1 1 19 0 520
2020 434 5 16 39 1 0 22 0 517
2021 415 10 11 42 0 0 23 0 501
2022 402 8 8 35 0 0 25 0 478
2023 388 12 17 38 0 0 22 0 477
2024 387 10 14 39 0 0 20 0 470

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 William J. Johnston Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 249 23.0 10.8 n/a
1989 370 25.0 14.8 n/a
1990 365 33.0 11.0 n/a
1991 394 31.0 12.7 n/a
1992 427 28.3 15.0 2.1
1993 434 30.5 14.2 0.2
1994 469 28.0 16.8 9.2
1995 522 32.0 16.3 6.1
1996 522 32.0 16.3 6.1
1997 589 40.7 14.5 4.4
1998 622 43.2 14.4 5.8
1999 641 47.5 13.5 7.2
2000 660 52.8 12.5 7
2001 672 51.0 13.2 n/a
2002 740 58.5 12.6 6.1
2003 740 58.5 12.6 6.1
2004 753 59.5 12.7 8.5
2005 776 52.2 14.9 n/a
2006 741 55.8 13.3 6.1
2007 797 55.8 14.3 8.4
2008 800 62.0 12.9 10.3
2009 763 65.7 12.6 11
2010 761 59.8 12.7 11.8
2011 705 55.1 12.7 13.6
2012 700 53.9 12.9 13.3
2013 701 51.3 13.6 15.3
2014 668 51.6 12.9 15.6
2015 626 47.0 13.3 18.1
2016 600 47.0 12.7 18.7
2017 605 45.2 13.3 17.7
2018 571 49.9 11.4 15.1
2019 520 45.0 11.5 23.8
2020 517 44.2 11.6 26.7
2021 501 40.0 12.5 25.7
2022 478 47.0 10.1 23.6
2023 477 43.0 11.0 22.4
2024 470 44.0 10.6 25.5

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 William J. Johnston Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 249 23.0 10.8 n/a
1989 370 25.0 14.8 n/a
1990 365 33.0 11.0 n/a
1991 394 31.0 12.7 n/a
1992 427 28.3 15.0 2.1
1993 434 30.5 14.2 0.2
1994 469 28.0 16.8 9.2
1995 522 32.0 16.3 6.1
1996 522 32.0 16.3 6.1
1997 589 40.7 14.5 4.4
1998 622 43.2 14.4 5.8
1999 641 47.5 13.5 7.2
2000 660 52.8 12.5 7
2001 672 51.0 13.2 n/a
2002 740 58.5 12.6 6.1
2003 740 58.5 12.6 6.1
2004 753 59.5 12.7 8.5
2005 776 52.2 14.9 n/a
2006 741 55.8 13.3 6.1
2007 797 55.8 14.3 8.4
2008 800 62.0 12.9 10.3
2009 763 65.7 12.6 11
2010 761 59.8 12.7 11.8
2011 705 55.1 12.7 13.6
2012 700 53.9 12.9 13.3
2013 701 51.3 13.6 15.3
2014 668 51.6 12.9 15.6
2015 626 47.0 13.3 18.1
2016 600 47.0 12.7 18.7
2017 605 45.2 13.3 17.7
2018 571 49.9 11.4 15.1
2019 520 45.0 11.5 23.8
2020 517 44.2 11.6 26.7
2021 501 40.0 12.5 25.7
2022 478 47.0 10.1 23.6
2023 477 43.0 11.0 22.4
2024 470 44.0 10.6 25.5

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 William J. Johnston Middle School

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2018 $15,503
2019 $17,467
2020 $18,246
2021 $19,233
2022 $20,643
2023 $20,808

Data source: Connecticut Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on William J. Johnston 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 51st of 259 Middle schoolsRanks 41st of 249 Middle schools
 3.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (William J. Johnston Middle School)64.552.3
 12.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Colchester School District)64.152.3
 11.8%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)55.348
 7.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (William J. Johnston Middle School)68.158.1
 10%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Colchester School District)67.758.1
 9.6%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)45.439.6
 5.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (William J. Johnston Middle School)71.465.8
 5.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Colchester School District)71.465.4
 6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)56.148.8
 7.3%
7th Grade Mathematics (William J. Johnston Middle School)66.172.9
 6.8%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Colchester School District)66.172.4
 6.3%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)46.139.9
 6.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (William J. Johnston Middle School)73.169.3
 3.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Colchester School District)73.168.4
 4.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Connecticut)55.848.5
 7.3%
8th Grade Mathematics (William J. Johnston Middle School)7271.2
 0.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Colchester School District)7270.3
 1.7%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Connecticut)43.536.2
 7.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students520477
 8.3%
African American712
 71.4%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian1617
 6.3%
Hispanic3638
 5.6%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White440388
 11.8%
Two or More Races1922
 15.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients23.8%22.4%
 1.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about William J. Johnston Middle School

William J. Johnston Middle School ranks 53rd of 250 Connecticut middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 470 students attended William J. Johnston Middle School.

Students at William J. Johnston Middle School are 82% White, 8% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 2% African American.

Students who attend William J. Johnston Middle School usually go on to attend Bacon Academy


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