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Average

#1891 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School

Elementary School · Clayton Public School District

300 WEST CHESTNUT STREET, Clayton, NJ 08312

Enrollment

685

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,891 of 2,466

In Clayton

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

Clayton Public School District

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Herma S. Simmons Elementary School

5.2/10

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

St Michael the Archangel Regional School

4.3/10

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

Clayton High School

4.2/10

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

About Herma S. Simmons Elementary School

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clayton, NJ, part of Clayton Public School District. Herma S.

Simmons Elementary School serves approximately 685 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Herma S. Simmons Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,891 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Herma S. Simmons Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below NJ schools
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 9.9:1 students to teachers, Herma S. Simmons Elementary School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-23.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency31% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-11.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,852
Chronic Absenteeism2.5%

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School — Students at Herma S. Simmons Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 41.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 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
68%
ELA
49%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
53%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
38%
2024
Math
26.4%
ELA
38%
2025
Math
24.8%
ELA
36.4%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Herma S. Simmons Elementary School Compares

See how Herma S. Simmons Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
23th percentile in NJ
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
7.9/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
46%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
2.5%

Location

300 WEST CHESTNUT STREET, Clayton, NJ 08312

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Herma S. Simmons Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J. Harvey Rodgers School (rated 6.0/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Glassboro), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Turnersville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Aura Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Glassboro), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL REGIONAL SCHOOL Clayton 0.9 mi 4.3
Clayton High School Clayton 1.1 mi 4.2
Clayton Middle School Clayton 1.1 mi 7.6
Caroline L. Reutter School Franklinville 3.1 mi 5.5
Aura Elementary School Glassboro 2.9 mi 5.8
Delsea Regional High School Franklinville 3.4 mi 5.0
Delsea Regional Middle School Franklinville 3.4 mi 7.4
Dorothy L. Bullock School Glassboro 3.8 mi 3.8
J. Harvey Rodgers School Glassboro 4.2 mi 6.0
Bunker Hill Middle School Sewell 4.5 mi 7.5
Glassboro High School Glassboro 4.7 mi 4.8
Orchard Valley Middle School Sewell 5.1 mi 8.1
Thomas E. Bowe School Glassboro 5.0 mi 6.0
Mary F. Janvier School Franklinville 4.6 mi 4.6
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Turnersville 5.6 mi 6.0
LASTING LEGACY ACADEMY, LLC Williamstown 5.3 mi
BEACON ACADEMY Sewell 6.0 mi
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Sewell 6.2 mi
CORNERSTONE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington Township 6.2 mi
Williamstown High School Williamstown 5.1 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08312 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$88,448

Median Home Value

$248,000

Median Rent

$1,204/mo

Population

8,395

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

33 min

Poverty Rate

7.4%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Center Grove School Randolph, NJ 5.2
Clayton J. Davenport Elementary School Egg Harbor Township, NJ 5.2
Dr. Leroy McCloud Elementary School Englewood, NJ 5.2
East Dover Elementary School Dover, NJ 5.2
Franklin Elementary School Newark, NJ 5.2
Grant Elementary School Dumont, NJ 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Herma S. Simmons Elementary School

What grades does Herma S. Simmons Elementary School serve?

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Herma S. Simmons Elementary School?

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 685 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Herma S. Simmons Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Herma S. Simmons Elementary School is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Herma S. Simmons Elementary School rank in NJ?

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School ranks #1,891 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Herma S. Simmons Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Herma S. Simmons Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Herma S. Simmons Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Herma S. Simmons Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Herma S. Simmons Elementary School a charter school?

No, Herma S. Simmons Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Herma S. Simmons Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Herma S. Simmons Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Herma S. Simmons Elementary School?

46.4% of students at Herma S. Simmons 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
38 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
685
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
69
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Gloucester County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
2.5%

District

Clayton Public School District
District Enrollment
1,515
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,852
District Rank
#2 of 3

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