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Needs Improvement

#2398 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence

Elementary School · East Orange School District

180 Lincoln Street, East Orange, NJ 07017

Enrollment

528

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,398 of 2,466

In East Orange

#21 of 22

public schools

In district

#19 of 20

East Orange School District

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Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence

3.4/10

Elementary School in East Orange · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John L. Costley Middle School

4.6/10

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

Sojourner Truth Middle School

4.5/10

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

About Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence is a public elementary school in East Orange, NJ, part of East Orange School District.

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence serves approximately 528 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio.

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,398 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.9 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.3
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.47 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-35.1 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-17.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,491
Chronic Absenteeism22.7%

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence — Students at Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
46.9% (2025 NJSLA)
ELA Proficiency 33.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.4% (2025 NJSLA)

Based on 34 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
75%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
47%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
49%
2012
Math
65%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2019
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
15.5%
ELA
17.7%

* 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: 3.7/10.

How Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence Compares

See how Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
3th percentile in NJ
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

180 Lincoln Street, East Orange, NJ 07017

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shelia Y. Oliver Academy (rated 7.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Orange, see our East Orange schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
John L. Costley Middle School East Orange 0.1 mi 4.6
Sojourner Truth Middle School East Orange 0.1 mi 4.5
Patrick F. Healy Middle School East Orange 0.2 mi 3.7
J. Garfield Jackson Sr. Academy East Orange 0.2 mi 7.5
East Orange Campus High School East Orange 0.3 mi 3.2
Althea Gibson Academy East Orange 0.4 mi 6.9
Wahlstrom Early Childhood Academy East Orange 0.4 mi 6.8
Cicely L. Tyson Community Middle/High School East Orange 0.5 mi 7.0
Cicely L. Tyson Community Elementary School East Orange 0.6 mi 6.7
East Orange STEM Academy High School East Orange 0.6 mi 7.1
Whitney E. Houston Academy East Orange 0.7 mi 6.9
East Orange Community Charter School East Orange 0.6 mi 5.9
Shelia Y. Oliver Academy East Orange 0.6 mi 7.6
Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Academy East Orange 0.8 mi 5.3
Park Avenue Elementary School Orange 0.8 mi 4.8
Mildred Barry Garvin Elementary East Orange 0.9 mi 7.9
Gordon Parks Academy East Orange 0.9 mi 4.1
Oakwood Avenue Community School Orange 0.9 mi 6.5
Ecole Toussaint Louverture East Orange 1.1 mi 6.5
Watsessing Elementary School Bloomfield 1.1 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 07017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,552

Median Home Value

$316,700

Median Rent

$1,346/mo

Population

40,809

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

31.3%

Avg Commute

37.9 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hillside Elementary School Mount Laurel, NJ 3.4
Joseph T. Donahue Elementary School Barnegat, NJ 3.4
Parkview Elementary School Stratford, NJ 3.4
Darlene C. McKnight Elementary Trenton, NJ 3.5
Indiana Avenue Elementary School Iselin, NJ 3.5
John F Kennedy Elementary School West Berlin, NJ 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence

What grades does Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence serve?

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence?

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence has an enrollment of approximately 528 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence?

The student-teacher ratio at Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence rank in NJ?

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence ranks #2,398 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence's MySchoolScout rating?

Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence a charter school?

No, Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence a Title I school?

No, Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence?

61.4% of students at Edward T. Bowser Sr. School of Excellence 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
75 Very Walkable
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Essex County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.7%

How we rate schools

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