Summary:
Linden Elementary School is the sole elementary school in the Linden City district, serving 184 students in grades PK through 5 in a small, economically challenged community where over 81% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Because there is only one school, its performance directly defines the district. The most striking finding is a dramatic improvement in 3rd-grade math, which jumped from 34.38% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 58.62% in 2025-2026—now well above the state average of 44.89%. This suggests a successful intervention or a particularly strong cohort. However, this success does not carry into higher grades: 4th-grade math proficiency is just 24.14% and 5th-grade math is only 14.29%, both far below state averages. English scores are inconsistent as well, with 5th-grade English at 50% proficiency (close to the state's 69.53%) but 4th-grade English plummeting to 17.24% versus the state's 59.53%. Science is the school's biggest weakness, with only 13.79% of 4th graders proficient compared to a 50.23% state average—a gap of over 36 points.
The school's state ranking has declined steadily, from the 32nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 25th percentile in 2025-2026, and it currently holds a 1-star rating. Chronic absenteeism (12.7%) is slightly above the state average, and per-student spending is $12,533. While the high economic disadvantage rate is a significant challenge, the strong 3rd-grade math results prove that progress is achievable. Parents should note that the school excels in early math but struggles to maintain that momentum in later grades, and science is an area of urgent concern. The small size and low student-teacher ratio of 13.1 offer potential for personalized attention, but the inconsistent academic outcomes across grades and subjects indicate a need for targeted support.
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