Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Summary:

Howard M. Phifer Middle School is a public middle school located in Pennsauken, New Jersey, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,045 students. The school is part of the Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District, which is ranked 533 out of 615 districts in New Jersey and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Howard M. Phifer Middle School faces several challenges, including a diverse student population, consistently low academic performance, and high rates of chronic absenteeism. The school has a majority Hispanic (57.8%) and significant African American (22.49%) and Asian (9.67%) student populations, which is notably different from many of the nearby schools, such as William G. Rohrer Middle School, Haddonfield Middle School, and Cinnaminson Middle School, which tend to have higher percentages of White students. Academically, Howard M. Phifer Middle School consistently ranks in the bottom half of New Jersey middle schools, with proficiency rates on NJSLA assessments significantly below the state averages.

One area of concern is the school's high rates of chronic absenteeism, which have risen from 5.7% in 2016-2017 to 28.2% in 2021-2022. This trend may be contributing to the school's academic struggles, as well as the significant proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch ranging from 10.96% to 42.87% over the past few years. While the school's Asian and African American students perform relatively better than their peers in the district and state, the Hispanic and White student populations struggle, with proficiency rates well below the state averages. However, the school's performance in Algebra I and Geometry is a bright spot, with proficiency rates often higher than the district and state averages.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 8201 Park Ave
       Pennsauken, NJ  08109-3544


(856) 662-8511

District: Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
592nd of 748 New Jersey Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,290 Help


Students who attend Howard M. Phifer Middle School usually attend:

High:    Pennsauken High School

Feeder schools for Howard M. Phifer Middle School:

Elementary:    Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
    Delair Elementary School
    G.H. Carson Elementary School
    George B. Fine Elementary School
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  11.2 Help
Number of students:  1,045

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
57.8%
African American:
22.5%
Asian:
9.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  42.9% Help


 See top rated New Jersey middle schools

 Compare Howard M. Phifer Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Howard M. Phifer Middle School ranks worse than 79.1% of middle schools in New Jersey. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 20.44. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (57.8%), African American (22.5%), Asian (9.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 42.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Howard M. Phifer Middle School is 11.2. (See more...)
Help
Compare Howard M. Phifer Middle School employs 93 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Howard M. Phifer Middle School is $9,290.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Howard M. Phifer Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Howard M. Phifer Middle School 592nd of 748 New Jersey public middle schools. (See Howard M. Phifer Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District 533rd of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Howard M. Phifer Middle School?

Rank History for Howard M. Phifer Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 21.46 470th 574 18.1%
2004 22.91 478th 588 18.7%
2005 23.13 485th 599 19.0%
2006 30.86 476th 615 22.6%
2007 33.11 485th 631 23.1%
2008 30.59 487th 640 23.9%
2009 30.38 516th 664 22.3%
2010 33.89 503rd 677 25.7%
2011 37.37 486th 684 28.9%
2012 41.00 472nd 677 30.3%
2013 34.69 512th 704 27.3%
2014 31.41 523rd 717 27.1%
2015 39.70 438th 713 38.6%
2016 36.70 479th 713 32.8%
2017 28.64 512th 712 28.1%
2018 28.78 534th 716 25.4%
2019 16.86 618th 745 17.0%
2021 31.42 418th 652 35.9%
2022 21.55 584th 745 21.6%
2023 20.44 592nd 748 20.9%
See the entire list of New Jersey Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.97 118th 202 41.6%
2019 48.62 95th 227 58.1%
2021 39.42 111th 197 43.7%
2022 47.29 114th 270 57.8%
2023 38.21 165th 288 42.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.75 303rd 471 35.7%
2019 27.00 374th 492 24.0%
2021 21.96 338th 401 15.7%
2022 25.22 426th 535 20.4%
2023 24.80 416th 505 17.6%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.38 266th 522 49.0%
2019 33.48 356th 541 34.2%
2021 53.41 159th 467 66.0%
2022 40.31 306th 549 44.3%
2023 35.19 363rd 568 36.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.28 515th 680 24.3%
2019 18.79 575th 703 18.2%
2021 31.69 411th 625 34.2%
2022 24.55 550th 726 24.2%
2023 19.83 581st 720 19.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.60 504th 675 25.3%
2019 18.10 576th 697 17.4%
2021 33.72 383rd 635 39.7%
2022 22.73 556th 730 23.8%
2023 21.54 554th 718 22.8%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.87 155th 200 22.5%
2019 8.06 178th 199 10.6%
2021 30.93 104th 147 29.3%
2022 19.08 171st 200 14.5%
2023 14.35 173rd 201 13.9%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.96 186th 326 42.9%
2019 36.28 214th 326 34.4%
2021 51.15 111th 291 61.9%
2022 33.80 245th 356 31.2%
2023 43.49 183rd 361 49.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.63 357th 504 29.2%
2019 21.81 431st 524 17.7%
2021 37.48 282nd 480 41.3%
2022 26.10 469th 591 20.6%
2023 23.15 483rd 587 17.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.93 418th 497 15.9%
2019 7.55 478th 504 5.2%
2021 34.61 295th 435 32.2%
2022 20.21 436th 512 14.8%
2023 22.66 425th 509 16.5%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: New Jersey Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Howard M. Phifer Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: New Jersey Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.5)
50%

50%

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0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, March 31, 2016

Open Quote My son is currently in 8th grade here and he enjoys it. My experience with the teachers, counselors & administration have been very good. They communicate well and have always responded to any issues or questions I have had which is very important. I have not had any issues with bullying thus far. My son feels challenged in his academics and I personally feel like the teachers want him to succeed. Given the amount of students serviced at this school they are doing a great job!I wish this school had clubs that the kids could join other than sports. But other than that, my son feels encouraged and safe here. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Howard M. Phifer Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 658 234 9 69 2 n/a n/a 0 972
1989 639 280 12 87 3 n/a n/a 0 1021
1990 620 332 12 109 1 n/a n/a 0 1074
1991 644 327 25 94 2 n/a n/a 0 1092
1992 615 352 27 137 0 n/a n/a 0 1131
1993 625 396 21 128 0 n/a n/a 0 1170
1994 632 411 15 125 0 n/a n/a 0 1183
1995 668 424 43 179 4 n/a n/a 0 1318
1996 668 424 43 179 4 n/a n/a 0 1318
1998 666 497 66 224 3 n/a n/a 0 1456
1999 623 485 64 245 2 n/a n/a 0 1419
2000 556 510 72 307 6 n/a n/a 0 1451
2001 507 531 101 338 16 n/a n/a 0 1493
2002 328 392 62 244 9 n/a n/a 0 1035
2003 328 392 62 244 9 n/a n/a 0 1035
2004 288 436 61 269 2 n/a n/a 0 1056
2005 238 422 57 311 1 n/a n/a 0 1029
2006 194 391 67 301 1 n/a n/a 0 954
2007 168 368 85 294 0 n/a n/a 0 915
2008 140 371 93 300 1 n/a n/a 0 905
2009 155 351 79 306 0 0 0 0 891
2010 134 332 80 302 0 0 0 0 848
2011 126 307 82 316 0 0 0 0 831
2012 133 292 67 327 0 0 0 0 819
2013 115 259 69 354 0 0 0 0 797
2014 100 289 68 362 0 1 1 0 821
2015 100 260 76 338 0 1 0 0 775
2016 93 253 86 340 0 1 5 0 778
2017 92 247 87 338 0 3 6 0 773
2018 88 228 93 344 1 3 7 0 764
2019 122 345 134 538 0 1 11 0 1151
2020 108 330 126 531 0 0 18 0 1113
2021 104 298 124 565 0 2 18 0 1111
2022 93 267 116 580 0 4 26 0 1086
2023 73 235 101 604 1 3 28 0 1045

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Howard M. Phifer Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 972 76.0 12.7 n/a
1989 1021 78.0 13.0 n/a
1990 1074 80.0 13.4 14.6
1991 1092 80.0 13.6 13.6
1992 1131 82.0 13.7 19.1
1993 1170 85.0 13.8 25.2
1994 1183 87.0 13.6 26
1995 1318 85.8 15.4 28.8
1996 1318 85.8 15.4 28.8
1998 1456 96.2 15.1 31.6
1999 1419 100.2 14.2 30.6
2000 1451 102.5 14.2 43.9
2001 1493 104.3 14.3 54.1
2002 1035 66.6 15.5 49.6
2003 1035 66.6 15.5 49.6
2004 1056 68.6 15.4 47.7
2005 1029 70.0 14.7 n/a
2006 954 69.0 13.8 52.9
2007 915 71.0 12.9 58.9
2008 905 58.0 15.6 60.4
2009 891 74.0 10.2 59.7
2010 848 59.0 14.3 64.9
2011 831 56.3 14.7 66.3
2012 819 64.8 12.6 69.5
2013 797 72.0 11.0 72.1
2014 821 71.0 11.5 68.8
2015 775 72.0 10.7 74.5
2016 778 72.0 10.8 69.9
2017 773 72.0 10.7 68.2
2018 764 69.0 11.0 68.5
2019 1151 93.0 12.3 73.7
2020 1113 89.0 12.5 67.5
2021 1111 91.0 12.2 21.2
2022 1086 91.0 11.9 11
2023 1045 93.0 11.2 42.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Howard M. Phifer Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 972 76.0 12.7 n/a
1989 1021 78.0 13.0 n/a
1990 1074 80.0 13.4 14.6
1991 1092 80.0 13.6 13.6
1992 1131 82.0 13.7 19.1
1993 1170 85.0 13.8 25.2
1994 1183 87.0 13.6 26
1995 1318 85.8 15.4 28.8
1996 1318 85.8 15.4 28.8
1998 1456 96.2 15.1 31.6
1999 1419 100.2 14.2 30.6
2000 1451 102.5 14.2 43.9
2001 1493 104.3 14.3 54.1
2002 1035 66.6 15.5 49.6
2003 1035 66.6 15.5 49.6
2004 1056 68.6 15.4 47.7
2005 1029 70.0 14.7 n/a
2006 954 69.0 13.8 52.9
2007 915 71.0 12.9 58.9
2008 905 58.0 15.6 60.4
2009 891 74.0 10.2 59.7
2010 848 59.0 14.3 64.9
2011 831 56.3 14.7 66.3
2012 819 64.8 12.6 69.5
2013 797 72.0 11.0 72.1
2014 821 71.0 11.5 68.8
2015 775 72.0 10.7 74.5
2016 778 72.0 10.8 69.9
2017 773 72.0 10.7 68.2
2018 764 69.0 11.0 68.5
2019 1151 93.0 12.3 73.7
2020 1113 89.0 12.5 67.5
2021 1111 91.0 12.2 21.2
2022 1086 91.0 11.9 11
2023 1045 93.0 11.2 42.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Howard M. Phifer Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $325 (3.5%) $8,965 (96.5%) $9,290

Data source: New Jersey Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Howard M. Phifer Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 618th of 745 Middle schoolsRanks 592nd of 748 Middle schools
 3.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)28.518.1
 10.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)28.522.9
 5.6%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)56.149
 7.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)22.814.3
 8.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)22.818.3
 4.5%
   6th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)40.634.3
 6.3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)41.534.7
 6.8%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)41.534.4
 7.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.855.7
 7.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)27.98.3
 19.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)27.98.2
 19.7%
   7th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)42.133.8
 8.3%
7th Grade Algebra I (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)94.167.7
 26.4%
   7th Grade Algebra I (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)94.167.7
 26.4%
   7th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)9589.4
 5.6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)35.632.4
 3.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)35.632.1
 3.5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)62.955.3
 7.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)1.79.7
 8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)1.79.6
 7.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)29.317.8
 11.5%
8th Grade Algebra I (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)40.550
 9.5%
   8th Grade Algebra I (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)40.550
 9.5%
   8th Grade Algebra I (New Jersey)75.166
 9.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Howard M. Phifer Middle School)47.657.5
 9.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (Pennsauken Township Board of Education School District)30.519.1
 11.4%
   End of Course Algebra I (New Jersey)43.335.1
 8.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students11511045
 9.2%
African American345235
 31.9%
American Indian01
Asian134101
 24.6%
Hispanic538604
 12.3%
Pacific Islander13
 200%
White12273
 40.2%
Two or More Races1128
 154.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients73.7%42.9%
 30.8%


Schools Near Howard M. Phifer Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Howard M. Phifer Middle School

Students who attend Howard M. Phifer Middle School usually go on to attend Pennsauken High School

Howard M. Phifer Middle School ranks in the bottom 20.9% of New Jersey middle schools.

Students at Howard M. Phifer Middle School are 58% Hispanic, 22% African American, 10% Asian, 7% White, 3% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,045 students attended Howard M. Phifer Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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