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Needs Improvement

#2440 of 2,463 schools in NJ

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School

Elementary School · Toms River Regional School District

2050 LAKEWOOD ROAD, Toms River, NJ 08755

Enrollment

522

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Toms River

#14 of 14

public schools

New Jersey elementary schools

#1,481 of 1,496

In district

#18 of 18

Toms River Regional School District

About Joseph A. Citta Elementary School

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is a public elementary school in Toms River, New Jersey, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 522 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.

The school boasts 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive educational environment. Academically, Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is ranked in the 13th percentile among New Jersey schools, with room for growth in both ELA and math proficiency rates at 36% and 26%, respectively.

The science scores currently show no proficient or above ratings but highlight areas where the school can focus on student development. Located in a large suburban setting, Joseph A. Citta Elementary School benefits from being part of the Toms River community, offering students access to local resources and opportunities for extracurricular activities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-4.4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-25.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,764

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School — Students at Joseph A. Citta Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 26.3%
School
State
44.6%
ELA Proficiency 35.8%
School
State
49.3%

Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2024
Math
25.3%
ELA
30.5%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Joseph A. Citta Elementary School Compares

See how Joseph A. Citta Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in NJ
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

2050 LAKEWOOD ROAD, Toms River, NJ 08755

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph A. Citta Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BELZ INSTITUTION/BAIS MALKO, BRENCH (rated 5.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ocean Academy Charter School (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BET YAAKOV OZ VEHADAR (rated 5.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Lakewood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Toms River, see our Toms River schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Ocean Academy Charter School Lakewood 1.7 mi 5.8
North Dover Elementary School Toms River 1.7 mi 5.6
MESIVTA OF EATONTOWN Lakewood 1.8 mi 6.0
BELZ INSTITUTION/BAIS MALKO, BRENCH Lakewood 2.0 mi 5.9
CHEDER TIFERES YISROEL Lakewood 2.0 mi 5.3
MESIVTA NEZER HATORAH Lakewood 2.3 mi 4.9
YESHIVA CHEMDAT HATORAH Lakewood 2.5 mi 5.0
YESHIVA BIRCHAS CHAIM Lakewood 2.4 mi 4.9
TALMUD TORAH BAIS AVROHOM Lakewood 2.3 mi 4.3
YESHIVAS OHR HACHINUCH Lakewood 2.4 mi 5.2
TIFERES CHAIM Lakewood 2.4 mi 6.5
Manchester Township Middle School Manchester 2.1 mi 6.4
KNESSES BAIS LEVI Lakewood 2.5 mi 5.1
TASHBAR OF LAKEWOOD Lakewood 2.7 mi 4.3
MESIVTA NER MOSHE Lakewood 2.7 mi 4.4
Ridgeway Elementary School Manchester 2.2 mi 5.0
BNOS DEVORAH Lakewood 2.7 mi 3.4
BET YAAKOV OZ VEHADAR Lakewood 2.7 mi 5.7
MEOROS BAIS YAAKOV Lakewood 2.7 mi 4.1
CHEIN BAIS YAAKOV Lakewood 2.7 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,077

Median Home Value

$379,600

Median Rent

$1,484/mo

Population

29,266

College Educated

32.8%

Homeownership

81.4%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

40.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joseph A. Citta Elementary School has a median household income of $81,077. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $379,600, with a median rent of $1,484/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belleville PS4 Belleville, NJ 3.0
Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School Piscataway, NJ 3.0
Senator Frank Lautenberg School Paterson, NJ 3.0
Sussex Avenue School Newark, NJ 3.0
Belleville PS8 Belleville, NJ 3.1
Florence Avenue Elementary School Irvington, NJ 2.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph A. Citta Elementary School

What grades does Joseph A. Citta Elementary School serve?

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Joseph A. Citta Elementary School?

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 522 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Citta Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph A. Citta Elementary School rank in NJ?

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is ranked #2440 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.

What is Joseph A. Citta Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph A. Citta Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Joseph A. Citta Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph A. Citta Elementary School has 26.3% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joseph A. Citta Elementary School a charter school?

No, Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Joseph A. Citta Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Joseph A. Citta Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph A. Citta Elementary School?

67.6% of students at Joseph A. Citta 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

County Safety
Low (1/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
522
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Ocean County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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