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Below Average

#2234 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Paul W Carleton

Elementary School · Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

251 MAPLE AVENUE, Penns Grove, NJ 08069

Enrollment

319

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

4.3

Grades

4th – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,234 of 2,466

In Penns Grove

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District

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Paul W Carleton

4.3/10

Elementary School in Penns Grove · grades 4th – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Penns Grove Middle School

5.8/10

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

Lafayette - Pershing

5.5/10

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

About Paul W Carleton

Paul W Carleton is a public elementary school in Penns Grove, NJ, part of Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District. Paul W Carleton serves approximately 319 students, and covers grades 4th-5th, and has a 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Paul W Carleton has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,234 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Paul W Carleton show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • NJ avg 6.5

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-1.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-34.5 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,327
Chronic Absenteeism20.1%

Paul W Carleton — Students at Paul W Carleton score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.2% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 26.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 37 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
54%
ELA
36%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
35%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
36%
2013
Math
61%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
31%
2015
Math
28%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
26%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
18%
2024
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2025
Math
13.4%
ELA
16.8%

* 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 Paul W Carleton Compares

See how Paul W Carleton performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.8/10
Below Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

251 MAPLE AVENUE, Penns Grove, NJ 08069

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paul W Carleton may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carrcroft Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mount Pleasant Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Wilmington), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Field Street School (rated 7.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Carneys Point), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Penns Grove, see our Penns Grove schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Penns Grove Middle School Penns Grove 0.1 mi 5.8
Lafayette - Pershing Carneys Point 0.4 mi 5.5
Penns Grove High School Carneys Point 0.8 mi 3.7
Field Street School Carneys Point 1.0 mi 7.3
Mount Pleasant Elementary School Wilmington 3.7 mi 7.7
East Side Charter School Wilmington 3.4 mi 6.5
Mount Pleasant High School Wilmington 4.0 mi 7.1
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Wilmington 3.9 mi
URBAN PROMISE SCHOOL Wilmington 3.7 mi 6.8
Edison (Thomas A.) Charter School Wilmington 3.7 mi 5.0
Central Park Elementary School Pennsville 4.5 mi 3.3
Harlan (David W. ) Elementary School Wilmington 4.2 mi 6.7
Stubbs Early Education Center Wilmington 4.0 mi 2.3
Maple Lane Elementary School Claymont 5.0 mi 5.1
Howard High School of Technology Wilmington 4.0 mi 4.9
Carrcroft Elementary School Wilmington 4.9 mi 8.0
The Bancroft School Wilmington 4.0 mi 4.9
duPont (Pierre S.) Middle School Wilmington 4.4 mi 7.2
DARUL AMAANAH ACADEMY Wilmington 4.1 mi 3.8
Kuumba Academy Charter School Wilmington 4.2 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08069 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,397

Median Home Value

$184,000

Median Rent

$1,221/mo

Population

13,413

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

55.6%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

20.4%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles L. Spragg School Egg Harbor City, NJ 4.3
Etta Gero School No. 9 Passaic, NJ 4.3
Lincoln School Annex Fairview, NJ 4.3
North Dover Elementary School Toms River, NJ 4.3
ST JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Red Bank, NJ 4.3
ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL REGIONAL SCHOOL Clayton, NJ 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paul W Carleton

What grades does Paul W Carleton serve?

Paul W Carleton serves students in grades 4th through 5th.

How many students attend Paul W Carleton?

Paul W Carleton has an enrollment of approximately 319 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paul W Carleton?

The student-teacher ratio at Paul W Carleton is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paul W Carleton rank in NJ?

Paul W Carleton ranks #2,234 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Paul W Carleton's MySchoolScout rating?

Paul W Carleton has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Paul W Carleton?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paul W Carleton has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Paul W Carleton a charter school?

No, Paul W Carleton is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Paul W Carleton a Title I school?

No, Paul W Carleton is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paul W Carleton?

76.2% of students at Paul W Carleton 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
49 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 5th
Enrollment
319
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Salem County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.1%

District

Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District
District Enrollment
2,245
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,327
District Rank
#4 of 5

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