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Needs Improvement

#2385 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Uptown School Complex

Elementary School · Atlantic City School District

323 Madison Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Enrollment

498

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#2,385 of 2,466

In Atlantic City

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#11 of 11

Atlantic City School District

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Uptown School Complex

3.5/10

Elementary School in Atlantic City · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pennsylvania Ave School

5.9/10

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

New York Avenue School

4.6/10

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

About Uptown School Complex

Uptown School Complex is a public elementary school in Atlantic City, NJ, part of Atlantic City School District. Uptown School Complex serves approximately 498 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Uptown School Complex has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,385 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Uptown School Complex show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • NJ avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 9.2:1 students to teachers, Uptown School Complex sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

49% of students at Uptown School Complex 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 Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4.4% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.3% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg-43.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.6 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$32,427
Chronic Absenteeism48.6%

Uptown School Complex — Students at Uptown School Complex score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 14.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.0% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 20.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.6% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 53 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
49%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
39%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
13%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
11%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
8%
ELA
14%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
2%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
2%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
9%
2024
Math
8.8%
ELA
17.9%
2025
Math
4.4%
ELA
16.3%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Uptown School Complex Compares

See how Uptown School Complex performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
3th percentile in NJ
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

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

323 Madison Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Uptown School Complex may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brigantine Community School (rated 8.6/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Brigantine), which scores notably higher. Another option is H Ashton Marsh (rated 7.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Absecon), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richmond Avenue School (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Atlantic City, see our Atlantic City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Pennsylvania Ave School Atlantic City 0.3 mi 5.9
New York Avenue School Atlantic City 0.8 mi 4.6
Dr Martin Luther King Jr School Complex Atlantic City 1.2 mi 3.9
Texas Avenue School Atlantic City 1.7 mi 6.2
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA REGIONAL Atlantic City 1.8 mi 7.2
Venice Park School Atlantic City 1.7 mi 5.6
Brighton Avenue School Atlantic City 2.0 mi 5.8
Sovereign Avenue School Atlantic City 2.1 mi 7.6
Richmond Avenue School Atlantic City 2.7 mi 7.8
Chelsea Heights School Atlantic City 2.7 mi 5.8
Atlantic City High School Atlantic City 3.2 mi 4.4
Brigantine Community School Brigantine 4.0 mi 8.6
Ventnor Middle School Ventnor 4.7 mi 8.8
Ventnor Elementary School Ventnor 4.7 mi 6.6
Eugene A. Tighe Middle School Margate 5.2 mi 9.0
William H. Ross III School Margate 5.3 mi 5.5
HIGHLAND ACADEMY II Absecon 5.7 mi 5.3
Leeds Avenue Elementary School Pleasantville 5.6 mi 6.8
Emma C Attales Absecon 6.2 mi 7.1
H Ashton Marsh Absecon 6.2 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,375

Median Home Value

$189,600

Median Rent

$1,086/mo

Population

38,744

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

30%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

33.6%

Median Age

37.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Darlene C. McKnight Elementary Trenton, NJ 3.5
Indiana Avenue Elementary School Iselin, NJ 3.5
John F Kennedy Elementary School West Berlin, NJ 3.5
Memorial School Maywood, NJ 3.5
Middlesex County STEM Charter School Perth Amboy, NJ 3.5
Ollie Culbreth Jr. School Jersey City, NJ 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Uptown School Complex

What grades does Uptown School Complex serve?

Uptown School Complex serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Uptown School Complex?

Uptown School Complex has an enrollment of approximately 498 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Uptown School Complex?

The student-teacher ratio at Uptown School Complex is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Uptown School Complex rank in NJ?

Uptown School Complex ranks #2,385 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Uptown School Complex's MySchoolScout rating?

Uptown School Complex has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Uptown School Complex?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Uptown School Complex has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 20% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Uptown School Complex a charter school?

No, Uptown School Complex is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Uptown School Complex a Title I school?

No, Uptown School Complex is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Uptown School Complex?

92.0% of students at Uptown School Complex 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
498
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Atlantic County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.6%

District

Atlantic City School District
District Enrollment
6,401
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$32,427
District Rank
#11 of 11

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