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Needs Improvement

#2393 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary

Elementary School · Trenton Public School District

175 GIRARD AVENUE, Trenton, NJ 08638

Enrollment

341

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,393 of 2,466

In Trenton

#21 of 32

public schools

In district

#14 of 25

Trenton Public School District

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Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary

3.5/10

Elementary School in Trenton · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities

5.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dr. Crosby Copeland JR Elementary

3.2/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary is a public elementary school in Trenton, NJ, part of Trenton Public School District. Darlene C.

Mcknight Elementary serves approximately 341 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,393 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

58% of students at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency2.2% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-41.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-41.7 pts
Overall Proficiency4% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-38.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,662
Chronic Absenteeism58.4%

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary — Students at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary score 4% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 20.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 14.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 32 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
12%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
22%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
22%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
22%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
13%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
11%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
11%
ELA
12%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
5.5%
ELA
3.8%
2025
Math
6.5%
ELA
2.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.5/10.

How Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary Compares

See how Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.4%

Location

175 GIRARD AVENUE, Trenton, NJ 08638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eldridge Park School (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Lawrenceville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Greenwood Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Hamilton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities (rated 5.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities Trenton 0.4 mi 5.8
Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr Elementary Trenton 0.5 mi 3.2
Patton J. Hill Elementary School Trenton 0.7 mi 5.0
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton 0.9 mi 3.4
Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Trenton 0.8 mi 3.1
Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School Trenton 1.0 mi 4.1
Paul S. Robeson Elementary School Trenton 1.0 mi 3.6
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF TRENTON Trenton 0.9 mi
Trenton Central High School - Main Campus Trenton 1.1 mi 4.1
Slackwood Elementary School Lawrenceville 1.1 mi 4.2
Trenton Central High School-9th Grade Academy Trenton 1.0 mi 2.3
Carroll Robbins Elementary School Trenton 1.3 mi 4.9
Luis Munoz-Rivera Elementary School Trenton 1.1 mi 3.7
Greenwood Elementary School Hamilton 1.1 mi 6.0
Daylight/Twilight High School Trenton 1.4 mi 3.0
Achievers Early College Prep Charter School Trenton 1.6 mi 5.5
Kuser Elementary School Hamilton 1.4 mi 3.3
George Washington Elementary School Trenton 1.7 mi 3.3
Battle Monument Intermediate School Trenton 1.4 mi 3.5
Eldridge Park School Lawrenceville 1.9 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,650

Median Home Value

$226,700

Median Rent

$1,499/mo

Population

23,373

College Educated

30.9%

Homeownership

56.3%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

21.6%

Median Age

35.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Indiana Avenue Elementary School Iselin, NJ 3.5
John F Kennedy Elementary School West Berlin, NJ 3.5
Memorial School Maywood, NJ 3.5
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City, NJ 3.5
Vineland Public Charter School Millville, NJ 3.5
Collings Lakes Elementary School Williamstown, NJ 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary

What grades does Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary serve?

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary?

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary rank in NJ?

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary ranks #2,393 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 14% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary a charter school?

No, Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary a Title I school?

No, Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary?

44.6% of students at Darlene C. Mcknight Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
63 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
64 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.4%

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