Summary:
This analysis examines 12 elementary schools in the 08302 zip code (Bridgeton, NJ, and surrounding townships), serving Pre-K through 8th grade, where the majority of students face significant economic challenges.
The standout performer in this area is Stow Creek Township School, which ranks in the 63rd percentile statewide—far above any other school in the zip code. It boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of just 2.9% and outperforms state averages in several subjects, such as 75% of its 5th, 7th, and 8th graders proficient in ELA. In contrast, Cherry Street School is the lowest-ranked school, sitting in the bottom 1% of New Jersey, with 0% of 5th graders proficient in ELA and a chronic absenteeism rate of 23.7%. Hopewell Crest (in the Hopewell Township School District) is a bright spot, achieving an exceptional 88.2% proficiency rate in 8th-grade Algebra I, far exceeding the state average. The six schools in the Bridgeton City School District all rank in the bottom 10% of the state, indicating systemic challenges. The Bridgeton Public Charter School is an anomaly, with a very low free/reduced-price lunch rate of 2.83% but still low academic performance (9th percentile), suggesting factors beyond poverty affect outcomes.
Overall, the average state percentile rank for these schools is just 12.5%, and the median free/reduced-price lunch rate is 86.1%, highlighting widespread economic disadvantage. Chronic absenteeism varies widely, from 2.9% at Stow Creek to 23.7% at Cherry Street, and several schools show inconsistent proficiency rates between grade levels, such as Broad Street School where 7th-grade ELA proficiency is 33% but drops to 13.2% in 8th grade. For parents, Stow Creek Township School and Hopewell Crest are the strongest choices, while schools in the Bridgeton City School District face significant hurdles that may require extra support.
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