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Needs Improvement

#2464 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Grade Downing Elementary School

Elementary School · Runnemede Public School District

3RD & CENTRAL AVES, Runnemede, NJ 08078

Enrollment

156

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

2.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,464 of 2,466

In Runnemede

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Runnemede Public School District

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Grade Downing Elementary School

2.4/10

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

St Teresa Regional School

5.8/10

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

Triton Regional High School

5.3/10

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

About Grade Downing Elementary School

Grade Downing Elementary School is a public elementary school in Runnemede, NJ, part of Runnemede Public School District. Grade Downing Elementary School serves approximately 156 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Grade Downing Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,464 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Grade Downing Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.3
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 156 students, Grade Downing Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-9.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.5% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.4 pts
Overall Proficiency26% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-22.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment1.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,091
Chronic Absenteeism14.1%

Grade Downing Elementary School — Students at Grade Downing Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
48.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 50.4% (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
84.5%
ELA
54.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2011
Math
84.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
44.5%
2013
Math
74.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2015
Math
54.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
54.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2018
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2024
Math
38.7%
ELA
34.1%
2025
Math
29.4%
ELA
23.5%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Grade Downing Elementary School Compares

See how Grade Downing Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
0th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.7/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

Location

3RD & CENTRAL AVES, Runnemede, NJ 08078

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grade Downing Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ethel M Burke Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Bellmawr), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mary Bray Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Mount Ephraim), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Magnolia (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Magnolia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Runnemede, see our Runnemede schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
ST TERESA REGIONAL SCHOOL Runnemede 0.5 mi 5.8
Triton Regional High School Runnemede 0.4 mi 5.3
Aline Bingham Elementary School Runnemede 0.4 mi 4.3
Mary E. Volz Elementary School Runnemede 0.6 mi 4.3
Glendora Elementary School Glendora 0.9 mi 4.8
Ethel M Burke Elementary School Bellmawr 1.0 mi 8.6
Chews Elementary School Blackwood 1.4 mi 5.5
Glenview Avenue Haddon Heights 1.7 mi 5.5
Bell Oaks Upper Elementary School Bellmawr 1.6 mi 6.6
Woodland Middle School Barrington 1.7 mi 8.7
Raymond W. Kershaw School Mount Ephraim 2.0 mi 6.0
Seventh Avenue Haddon Heights 2.0 mi 5.7
Glen Landing Middle School Blackwood 2.0 mi 6.7
Loring Flemming Elementary School Blackwood 2.1 mi 5.9
Audubon Junior/Senior High School Audubon 2.3 mi 6.3
Mary Bray Elementary School Mount Ephraim 2.3 mi 8.4
Atlantic Avenue Haddon Heights 2.4 mi 4.9
Mansion Avenue School Audubon 2.5 mi 6.0
Bellmawr Park Elementary School Bellmawr 2.1 mi 4.6
Magnolia Magnolia 2.0 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$97,857

Median Home Value

$215,400

Median Rent

$1,375/mo

Population

8,058

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

71.2%

Avg Commute

26 min

Poverty Rate

9.8%

Median Age

35.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Compass Academy Charter School Vineland, NJ 2.6
School #8 Clifton, NJ 3.2
Cadwalader Elementary School Trenton, NJ 3.3
Newark Educators Community Charter School Newark, NJ 3.5
Chatsworth Elementary School Chatsworth, NJ 3.6
Collings Lakes Elementary School Williamstown, NJ 3.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grade Downing Elementary School

What grades does Grade Downing Elementary School serve?

Grade Downing Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Grade Downing Elementary School?

Grade Downing Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 156 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grade Downing Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Grade Downing Elementary School is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grade Downing Elementary School rank in NJ?

Grade Downing Elementary School ranks #2,464 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Grade Downing Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Grade Downing Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Grade Downing Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Grade Downing Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Grade Downing Elementary School a charter school?

No, Grade Downing Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grade Downing Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Grade Downing Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grade Downing Elementary School?

34.6% of students at Grade Downing Elementary School 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
79 Very Walkable
Bike Score
63 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
156
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Camden County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

District

Runnemede Public School District
District Enrollment
836
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,091
District Rank
#3 of 3

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