Birches Elementary School

Summary:

Birches Elementary School is a public elementary school in Turnersville, New Jersey, serving 457 students in grades K-5 as part of the Washington Township School District. This school stands out for its strong academic performance, with students consistently outperforming the district and state in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency.

Birches Elementary has a higher percentage of white students (78.12%) compared to nearby schools, such as Hurffville Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Elementary, which have more diverse student populations. The school also demonstrates impressive performance for special education and low-income students, ranking in the top 40% and top 10% of New Jersey elementary schools, respectively. Additionally, Birches Elementary has a lower student-teacher ratio (9.4) compared to nearby schools.

While Birches Elementary is a strong-performing school, it has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 5.3% in 2020-2021 to 15.9% in 2021-2022, which is an area of concern. When compared to schools with higher percentages of low-income students, such as Dorothy L. Bullock School and James W. Lilley Elementary School, Birches Elementary demonstrates significantly higher academic performance, highlighting the potential impact of socioeconomic factors on student achievement.


Detail:

Public K-5

 416 Westminster Blvd
       Turnersville, NJ  08012-1625


(856) 232-1290

District: Washington Township School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
469th of 1,342 New Jersey Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,502 Help


Students who attend Birches Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Bunker Hill Middle School
High:    Washington Township High School

Student/teacher ratio:  9.4 Help
Number of students:  457

Racial breakdown:

White:
78.1%
Hispanic:
8.3%
African American:
5.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  16% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Birches Elementary School ranks better than 65.1% of elementary schools in New Jersey. It also ranks 3rd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Washington Township School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.98. (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 Birches Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Washington Township School District. Racial makeup is: White (78.1%), Hispanic (8.3%), African American (5.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 16% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Birches Elementary School is 9.4, which is the 2nd best among 6 elementary schools in the Washington Township School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Birches Elementary School employs 48.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Birches Elementary School is $12,502, which is the highest among 6 elementary schools in the Washington Township School District!
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Birches Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Birches Elementary School 469th of 1342 New Jersey public elementary schools. (See Birches Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Washington Township School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Washington Township School District 327th of 615 New Jersey school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Birches Elementary School?

Rank History for Birches Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 69.44 452nd 1204 62.5%
2004 80.69 169th 1298 87.0%
2005 69.94 464th 1303 64.4%
2006 71.50 426th 1314 67.6%
2007 72.62 385th 1329 71.0%
2008 71.63 428th 1338 68.0%
2009 79.30 232nd 1346 82.8%
2010 71.98 413th 1354 69.5%
2011 73.65 375th 1360 72.4%
2012 75.64 343rd 1363 74.8%
2013 76.41 327th 1367 76.1%
2014 72.06 433rd 1363 68.2%
2015 40.86 835th 1357 38.5%
2016 45.75 776th 1346 42.3%
2017 51.67 706th 1352 47.8%
2018 53.15 665th 1353 50.8%
2019 57.78 617th 1360 54.6%
2021 49.32 602nd 1317 54.3%
2022 67.11 458th 1345 65.9%
2023 65.98 469th 1342 65.1%
See the entire list of New Jersey Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.40 463rd 1001 53.7%
2019 70.58 226th 1007 77.6%
2021 64.09 219th 868 74.8%
2022 47.97 415th 949 56.3%
2023 51.29 382nd 958 60.1%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.52 572nd 942 39.3%
2019 47.68 449th 948 52.6%
2021 52.45 320th 839 61.9%
2022 47.04 409th 863 52.6%
2023 80.98 103rd 910 88.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.55 543rd 1333 59.3%
2019 63.39 520th 1331 60.9%
2021 53.62 537th 1290 58.4%
2022 68.67 433rd 1326 67.3%
2023 68.27 431st 1318 67.3%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.89 727th 1334 45.5%
2019 52.68 658th 1335 50.7%
2021 46.10 627th 1297 51.7%
2022 64.52 468th 1324 64.7%
2023 62.62 494th 1315 62.4%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.78 582nd 870 33.1%
2019 31.77 613th 899 31.8%
2021 74.48 147th 896 83.6%
2022 60.66 308th 953 67.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Birches Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools NJ State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.44 642nd 1022 37.2%
2019 44.52 585th 1023 42.8%
2021 32.86 694th 964 28.0%
2022 52.40 470th 976 51.8%
2023 51.28 481st 975 50.7%
See the entire list of Best New Jersey Elementary 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.

Birches Elementary 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Open Quote the staff works tirelessly to develop academic excellency as well as emotional and social skills.....they demonstrate and promote good character in each child!!! This is an excellent school with responsive staff....from administrator to teachers they are great! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Birches Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 574 28 37 2 0 n/a n/a 0 641
1989 658 29 28 2 0 n/a n/a 0 717
1990 497 22 27 4 1 n/a n/a 0 551
1991 518 17 19 5 1 n/a n/a 0 560
1992 501 27 30 8 0 n/a n/a 0 566
1993 499 23 24 4 2 n/a n/a 0 552
1994 492 19 24 4 0 n/a n/a 0 539
1995 513 21 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 550
1996 513 21 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 550
1998 544 19 24 12 0 n/a n/a 0 599
1999 550 33 27 15 0 n/a n/a 0 625
2000 536 26 27 11 0 n/a n/a 0 600
2001 569 31 28 10 0 n/a n/a 0 638
2002 525 27 27 11 2 n/a n/a 0 592
2003 525 27 27 11 2 n/a n/a 0 592
2004 502 33 35 14 0 n/a n/a 0 584
2005 493 33 36 18 0 n/a n/a 0 580
2006 490 28 36 15 0 n/a n/a 0 569
2007 497 32 25 16 0 n/a n/a 0 570
2008 471 35 30 20 0 n/a n/a 0 556
2009 450 28 25 17 0 1 0 0 521
2010 449 32 27 20 0 0 0 0 528
2011 318 15 14 13 0 0 3 0 363
2012 403 28 25 21 0 0 5 0 482
2013 414 26 24 22 0 0 10 0 496
2014 378 28 24 24 0 2 9 0 465
2015 368 24 20 28 0 2 13 0 455
2016 350 27 20 42 0 2 12 0 453
2017 350 23 19 41 0 1 16 0 450
2018 342 26 24 35 0 1 15 0 443
2019 352 25 22 39 0 1 14 0 453
2020 347 21 17 31 0 0 11 0 427
2021 325 15 18 27 0 0 12 0 397
2022 359 25 18 39 0 0 18 0 459
2023 357 26 16 38 0 0 20 0 457

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 Birches Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 641 30.0 21.3 n/a
1989 717 31.0 23.1 n/a
1990 551 30.0 18.3 2.9
1991 560 31.0 18.0 3.6
1992 566 31.0 18.2 4.2
1993 552 30.3 18.2 7.8
1994 539 31.8 16.9 6.3
1995 550 33.4 16.5 9.3
1996 550 33.4 16.5 9.3
1998 599 38.5 15.6 10.2
1999 625 38.5 16.2 10.6
2000 600 37.0 16.2 11
2001 638 37.2 17.2 11.4
2002 592 40.0 14.8 7.9
2003 592 40.0 14.8 7.9
2004 584 39.0 15.0 7.7
2005 580 40.5 14.3 n/a
2006 569 43.5 13.1 9.5
2007 570 42.0 13.6 9.5
2008 556 32.0 17.4 12.9
2009 521 50.9 8.6 11.9
2010 528 37.0 14.2 13.6
2011 363 34.7 10.4 12.9
2012 482 37.3 12.8 16.6
2013 496 37.6 13.1 20
2014 465 37.1 12.5 22.8
2015 455 43.0 10.5 23.3
2016 453 43.0 10.5 24.5
2017 450 44.3 10.1 24.2
2018 443 43.3 10.2 20.8
2019 453 43.3 10.4 20.1
2020 427 44.3 9.6 21.5
2021 397 40.4 9.8 16.4
2022 459 46.2 9.9 13.3
2023 457 48.2 9.4 16

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 Birches Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 641 30.0 21.3 n/a
1989 717 31.0 23.1 n/a
1990 551 30.0 18.3 2.9
1991 560 31.0 18.0 3.6
1992 566 31.0 18.2 4.2
1993 552 30.3 18.2 7.8
1994 539 31.8 16.9 6.3
1995 550 33.4 16.5 9.3
1996 550 33.4 16.5 9.3
1998 599 38.5 15.6 10.2
1999 625 38.5 16.2 10.6
2000 600 37.0 16.2 11
2001 638 37.2 17.2 11.4
2002 592 40.0 14.8 7.9
2003 592 40.0 14.8 7.9
2004 584 39.0 15.0 7.7
2005 580 40.5 14.3 n/a
2006 569 43.5 13.1 9.5
2007 570 42.0 13.6 9.5
2008 556 32.0 17.4 12.9
2009 521 50.9 8.6 11.9
2010 528 37.0 14.2 13.6
2011 363 34.7 10.4 12.9
2012 482 37.3 12.8 16.6
2013 496 37.6 13.1 20
2014 465 37.1 12.5 22.8
2015 455 43.0 10.5 23.3
2016 453 43.0 10.5 24.5
2017 450 44.3 10.1 24.2
2018 443 43.3 10.2 20.8
2019 453 43.3 10.4 20.1
2020 427 44.3 9.6 21.5
2021 397 40.4 9.8 16.4
2022 459 46.2 9.9 13.3
2023 457 48.2 9.4 16

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 Birches Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $337 (2.7%) $12,165 (97.3%) $12,502

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Birches Elementary 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 617th of 1360 Elementary schoolsRanks 469th of 1342 Elementary schools
 10.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Birches Elementary School)48.244
 4.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Washington Township School District)45.940.9
 5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)50.242
 8.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Birches Elementary School)62.966.7
 3.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Washington Township School District)56.260
 3.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)55.145.9
 9.2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Birches Elementary School)65.960.5
 5.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Washington Township School District)50.454.5
 4.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.451.3
 6.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Birches Elementary School)59.154.3
 4.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Washington Township School District)52.549
 3.5%
   4th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)5144.3
 6.7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Birches Elementary School)55.169.5
 14.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Washington Township School District)57.362
 4.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (New Jersey)57.953.2
 4.7%
5th Grade Mathematics (Birches Elementary School)54.147.9
 6.2%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Washington Township School District)5439.1
 14.9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (New Jersey)46.840.1
 6.7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students453457
 0.9%
African American2526
 4%
American Indian00
Asian2216
 27.3%
Hispanic3938
 2.6%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White352357
 1.4%
Two or More Races1420
 42.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients20.1%16%
 4.1%


Schools Near Birches Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Birches Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 457 students attended Birches Elementary School.

Students who attend Birches Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bunker Hill Middle School
High : Washington Township High School

Students at Birches Elementary School are 78% White, 8% Hispanic, 6% African American, 4% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Birches Elementary School ranks 469th of 1342 New Jersey elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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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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