South Orange-Maplewood Schools Ranked In New List

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - For the second time in as many years, New Jersey has released its controversial rating system that graded every school on a 1-100 scale — a system educators say paints an incomplete picture of the state's 2,100 schools.

The new ratings were established to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act. The ratings for high schools are based on graduation and absenteeism rates and PARCC scores, while elementary and middle school scores are based on absenteeism, PARCC and student progress on PARCC tests, according to the state Department of Education.

Based on the reports, it appears that schools that finished with at least a 50 score could be considered average. Schools that finish in the top 20 percent are considered above average.

Patch obtained the "summative scores" from the state Department of Education, which shows schools in Cresskill, Millburn and Fair Haven as having the highest scores, getting a 96.73 or higher. Some schools got a 1.18 or lower.

Schools that have third grade or higher also have "summative percentile rating," which shows how they compare to other high schools, middle and elementary schools. Those give elementary schools more weight in their scoring because they don't have the exact same criteria as high schools.

Here is the list of SOMSD schools and scores:

• CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 71.60
• SOUTH ORANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 63.65
• JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 61.96
• SOUTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 58.45
• TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 53.93
• COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 41.90
• SETH BOYDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 37.06
• MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 33.63

Here is the list of SOMSD school's summative percentile ratings:

• CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 81.52
• SOUTH ORANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 72.10
• JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 69.67
• SOUTH MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 63.39
• TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 55.63
• COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 37.25
• SETH BOYDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 29.09
• MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, ESSEX 23.58

Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, has said a single number or letter grade by itself "draws an incomplete picture of school performance and the quality of education provided to its students."

On the other hand, New Jersey PTA president Rose Acerra has said "parents now have more information than ever before.

"They have the tools to ask questions of their teachers and other stakeholders such as the superintendent, principal, and Board of Education," she said.

For the complete list of schools and ratings for all of New Jersey, click here.

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