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Needs Improvement

#2454 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Joseph Stokes Elementary School

Elementary School · Trenton Public School District

915 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08618

Enrollment

344

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,454 of 2,466

In Trenton

#31 of 32

public schools

In district

#24 of 25

Trenton Public School District

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Joseph Stokes Elementary School

3.0/10

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

Parkway Elementary School

4.9/10

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

Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School

3.8/10

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

About Joseph Stokes Elementary School

Joseph Stokes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Trenton, NJ, part of Trenton Public School District. Joseph Stokes Elementary School serves approximately 344 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Stokes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,454 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Joseph Stokes Elementary School show 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.0 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.5
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

53% of students at Joseph Stokes Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.95 pts/yr
Data Period2024–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.7% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-40.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.2 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-45.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
Resources & Environment1.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,662
Chronic Absenteeism53.2%

Joseph Stokes Elementary School — Students at Joseph Stokes Elementary School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

27.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 8.3% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
48.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 8.8% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
44.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 4 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2024
Math
9.2%
ELA
9.8%
2025
Math
7.4%
ELA
7.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.5/10.

How Joseph Stokes Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in NJ
Academic
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
1.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
28%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.2%

Location

915 Parkside Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08618

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joseph Stokes Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CHRISTINA SEIX ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Benjamin C Gregory Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities (rated 5.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkway Elementary School Ewing 0.2 mi 4.9
Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School Trenton 0.5 mi 3.8
Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School Trenton 0.5 mi 3.7
Benjamin C Gregory Elementary School Trenton 0.7 mi 6.5
Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School Ewing 0.8 mi 4.0
Cadwalader Elementary School Trenton 0.9 mi 3.3
Arthur J. Holland Middle School Trenton 0.9 mi 3.5
CHRISTINA SEIX ACADEMY Trenton 0.9 mi 8.1
Ewing High School Ewing 1.1 mi 4.5
Foundation Academy Charter School Trenton 1.2 mi 5.8
Battle Monument Intermediate School Trenton 1.1 mi 3.5
The Village Charter School Trenton 1.3 mi 4.5
Luis Munoz-Rivera Elementary School Trenton 1.5 mi 3.7
Dr. Martin Luther King Middle School Trenton 1.4 mi 3.1
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF TRENTON Trenton 1.5 mi
Daylight/Twilight High School Trenton 1.7 mi 3.0
Trenton Central High School-9th Grade Academy Trenton 1.7 mi 2.3
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Morrisville 2.1 mi
Paul Robeson Charter School for the Humanities Trenton 1.7 mi 5.8
Ulysses S. Grant School Trenton 1.9 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08618 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,179

Median Home Value

$211,800

Median Rent

$1,117/mo

Population

37,162

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

41.2%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

22.5%

Median Age

33.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Number 5 Linden, NJ 3.1
West Dover Elementary School Toms River, NJ 3.1
Dr. Crosby Copeland Jr Elementary Trenton, NJ 3.2
Central Park Elementary School Pennsville, NJ 3.3
George Washington Elementary School Trenton, NJ 3.3
Mill Pond Elementary School Lanoka Harbor, NJ 3.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joseph Stokes Elementary School

What grades does Joseph Stokes Elementary School serve?

Joseph Stokes Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Joseph Stokes Elementary School?

Joseph Stokes Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 344 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Stokes Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Stokes Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joseph Stokes Elementary School rank in NJ?

Joseph Stokes Elementary School ranks #2,454 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Joseph Stokes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Joseph Stokes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 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 Joseph Stokes Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Stokes Elementary School has 8% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025) and 9% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

Is Joseph Stokes Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Joseph Stokes Elementary School a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph Stokes Elementary School?

27.9% of students at Joseph Stokes 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
344
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
27.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Mercer County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.2%

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