Number 2

Number 2 is an elementary school in the Linden Public School District, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 635 students. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 15% of New Jersey elementary schools over the past several years, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating significant challenges.

Number 2's academic performance is a major concern, with proficiency rates on the NJSLA assessments significantly below state and district averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, only 27.7% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA, compared to 44.9% statewide. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 14.9% to 26.2% over the past few years, which is notably higher than the state average. Additionally, a large majority (68.5%) of Number 2's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high concentration of students from low-income families.

While Number 2 faces significant challenges, some of the other Linden public elementary schools, such as Number 5 and Number 9, perform significantly better on standardized tests and have lower chronic absenteeism rates. This suggests that factors within the district may be contributing to the issues at Number 2, as the school's funding and student-teacher ratio do not appear to be the primary drivers of these problems. Addressing these systemic challenges will be crucial for improving outcomes for the students at Number 2.