Summary:
The Maple Shade School District has only one middle school, Ralph J. Steinhauer Elementary School, which serves students from grades 5 to 8. The school faces significant academic challenges, with test scores well below the state averages across all grade levels and subjects.
Despite having a diverse student population, with a mix of White, African American, Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students, the school struggles with low proficiency rates on the NJSLA assessments. For example, in 5th grade ELA, the school scored 25.5% proficient compared to the state average of 53.2%, and in 6th grade math, the school scored 13.3% proficient compared to the state average of 34.3%. Additionally, the school has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate of 12.4%, which may be contributing to the academic challenges.
The school serves a population with a high level of economic disadvantage, with 44.29% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. This socioeconomic factor, combined with the district's below-average spending per student of $7,812, may be hindering the school's ability to provide the necessary resources and support for its students. Addressing these underlying issues, such as resource allocation, attendance, and targeted support for students, could be crucial in improving the school's performance and outcomes.
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