Summary:
The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District operates 5 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school, serving a diverse student population in this New Jersey community. While the district faces significant challenges in academic performance, student demographics, and resource allocation, a closer look at the individual schools reveals some standout institutions and areas for improvement.
Among the elementary schools, Lafayette - Pershing Elementary stands out with the lowest student-teacher ratio but also the highest percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients and the highest chronic absenteeism rate in the district. In contrast, Paul W Carleton Elementary has the highest student-teacher ratio and generally lower academic performance compared to district and state averages. The district's middle school and high school also struggle with low proficiency rates in core subjects, despite a relatively high graduation rate at the high school.
Across the district, the student population is diverse, with significant representation of African American and Hispanic students. However, the consistently low academic performance, as measured by NJSLA test scores, and high rates of chronic absenteeism suggest that the district faces significant challenges in addressing the needs of its high-need student population. Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and support, as well as addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism, will be crucial for the district to improve educational outcomes for all students.
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