Summary:
The 08312 zip code area is home to 3 public schools - 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high school - all part of the Clayton Public School District. These schools have consistently struggled to perform at high levels, with low statewide rankings and test scores well below state averages.
Herma S. Simmons Elementary School stands out as the lowest-performing, ranking in the bottom third of New Jersey elementary schools and having only 29.8% of 3rd graders proficient or better in ELA and 24.1% in Math. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 16.6%. Clayton High School has also struggled, with only 41.5% of 9th graders proficient or better in ELA and just 4.7% in Algebra I, though it maintains a relatively high 91.1% 4-year graduation rate. Clayton Middle School is the highest-performing of the three, but still ranks in the bottom third of New Jersey middle schools, with only 44% of 6th graders proficient or better in ELA and 19.2% in Math.
Across all three schools, chronic absenteeism rates are high, ranging from 16.6% to 16.6%, and test scores are significantly below state averages. The schools also serve a population with high economic disadvantage, as indicated by the 43.39% to 49.12% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. While the relatively low student-teacher ratios could be a positive factor, addressing the systemic challenges faced by these schools, such as low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism, will be crucial for improving outcomes for students in the 08312 zip code area.
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