Summary:
The 08109 zip code in New Jersey has only one middle school, Howard M. Phifer Middle School, which serves grades 6-8. The school is part of the Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District, which is ranked 434 out of 609 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.
Howard M. Phifer Middle School has consistently underperformed compared to both district and state averages across a range of academic metrics. The school's statewide ranking has declined over the past 3 years, going from 592 out of 748 in 2022-2023 to 657 out of 752 in 2024-2025, all with a 1-star rating. Student performance on standardized tests is significantly below state averages, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts ranging from 24.6% to 30.9% and in Mathematics from 5.8% to 16%, compared to state averages of 56.1% to 57.1% and 20.7% to 39.8%, respectively. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 14.9%.
Despite the low academic performance, the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 11.6, which could suggest that additional resources and support are not translating into improved student outcomes. The high percentage of students (34.95%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch indicates that the school is serving a population with significant socioeconomic challenges. Addressing the school's challenges will likely require a multifaceted approach that addresses both academic and non-academic factors contributing to the low student achievement.
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