Excellent
#105 of 2,463 schools in NJ
Top 4% in state
Joseph J Catena School
Elementary School · Freehold Township School District
275 BURLINGTON ROAD, Freehold, NJ 07728
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
426
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Freehold
#2 of 13
public schools
New Jersey elementary schools
#67 of 1,496
In district
#1 of 8
Freehold Township School District
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Joseph J Catena School
Joseph J Catena School is a public elementary school in Freehold, NJ, part of the Freehold Township School District. The school serves approximately 426 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 95.8th percentile among NJ schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 55% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 60% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.5/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $107,042, where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, Joseph J Catena School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Joseph J Catena School — Students at Joseph J Catena School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
11%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2023-24)
Based on 13 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Joseph J Catena School Compares
See how Joseph J Catena School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 55% (2019) to 61% (2022).
Location
275 BURLINGTON ROAD, Freehold, NJ 07728
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph J Catena School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Laura Donovan School (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Adelphia Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 4.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marshall W. Errickson School (rated 7.3/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Freehold, see our Freehold schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower School Freehold | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Monmouth County Career Center Freehold | 0.5 mi | — |
| Biotechnology High School Freehold | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| Freehold Learning Center Freehold | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Freehold Borough High School Freehold | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| THE GODDARD SCHOOL Freehold | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Colts Neck High School Colts Neck | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Freehold Intermediate School Freehold | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Park Avenue Elementary School Freehold | 2.3 mi | 6.3 |
| C. Richard Applegate School Freehold | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Cedar Drive Middle School Colts Neck | 2.9 mi | 8.8 |
| THE HEBREW ACADEMY Marlboro | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
| TURTLE CREEK LEARNING ACADEMY Marlboro | 3.7 mi | — |
| Edith M. Griebling Elementary School Farmingdale | 3.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Marshall W. Errickson School Freehold | 3.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Laura Donovan School Freehold | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Adelphia Elementary School Freehold | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Freehold Township High School Freehold Twp | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Memorial Elementary School Freehold | 4.1 mi | 4.9 |
| KIDDIE ACADEMY Freehold | 3.3 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 07728 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$107,042
Median Home Value
$490,000
Median Rent
$1,941/mo
Population
56,623
College Educated
46.3%
Homeownership
77.1%
Avg Commute
31.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph J Catena School has a median household income of $107,042. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $490,000, with a median rent of $1,941/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bradford Elementary School Upper Montclair, NJ | 8.7 |
| Chelsea Heights School Atlantic City, NJ | 8.7 |
| Dorchester Elementary School Woodcliff Lake, NJ | 8.7 |
| Ella G Clarke Elementary School Lakewood, NJ | 8.7 |
| Gregory Elementary School W. Orange, NJ | 8.7 |
| Hazel Avenue Elementary School W. Orange, NJ | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph J Catena School
What grades does Joseph J Catena School serve?
Joseph J Catena School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Joseph J Catena School?
Joseph J Catena School has an enrollment of approximately 426 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph J Catena School?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph J Catena School is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph J Catena School rank in NJ?
Joseph J Catena School is ranked #105 out of 2,463 schools in NJ.
What is Joseph J Catena School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph J Catena School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 J Catena School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph J Catena School has 55.0% math proficiency and 60.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Joseph J Catena School a charter school?
No, Joseph J Catena School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph J Catena School a Title I school?
No, Joseph J Catena School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph J Catena School?
11.0% of students at Joseph J Catena 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 426
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 11.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Monmouth County
- Phone
- (732) 431-4430
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Freehold Township School District- District Enrollment
- 3,461
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,703
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
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 methodologyRelated reading
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