Lakewood Township School District

The Lakewood Township School District in New Jersey operates 8 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving students from early childhood through 12th grade. The district faces significant challenges, with high poverty levels and wide disparities in academic performance across its schools.

Among the standout schools, Lakewood Early Childhood Center stands out with the lowest student-teacher ratio and the highest percentage of white students, while Ella G Clarke Elementary School and Clifton Ave Grade School excel academically, outperforming district and state averages in English Language Arts and Mathematics. In contrast, schools like Spruce Street Elementary School struggle with high chronic absenteeism rates of up to 58%.

The data reveals that the district's student population is predominantly Hispanic, with most schools having over 90% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. This high poverty level likely contributes to the academic challenges faced by many schools. The wide range in spending per student, from $13,211 at Lakewood Middle School to $28,713 at Lakewood Early Childhood Center, suggests a potential link between resource allocation and educational outcomes. Addressing these disparities and tackling issues like chronic absenteeism will be crucial for improving the overall performance of the Lakewood Township School District.