The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in English language arts. The lowest is 4% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Leap Academy University Charter School
LEAP Academy University Charter School is a single-school district in Camden, New Jersey, serving kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is a charter school, meaning it operates independently of the local school district and is governed by its own board. The school draws its student body from the city of Camden, a densely populated urban center in Camden County.
The student population is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with a very small number of students from other racial backgrounds. The school serves a student body of a size that is typical for a single-site charter district covering all grade levels. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are classified as English learners was not available in the source data, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these support structures.
State testing results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments show a mixed picture. In English language arts, the school’s performance varies by grade. In the lower elementary grades, proficiency rates are low, with a modest share of students meeting the state’s college-and-career-ready benchmark. By middle school, the picture improves: sixth and seventh graders post proficiency rates that are meaningfully higher, with a majority of sixth graders meeting the bar. Eighth grade ELA results drop back down. In math, the pattern is more consistent and concerning. Proficiency rates are low across every tested grade, from third through eighth, with the highest single grade reaching only a modest share of students at the proficient level. Science results are similarly low, with a very small fraction of fifth and eighth graders reaching proficiency. The district’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, places it in the bottom quartile among Camden County’s districts. A parent considering this school will want to understand how the school supports students who are below grade level in math and science, and what interventions are in place.
The school serves kindergarten through twelfth grade, and enrollment is fairly evenly distributed across the grades, suggesting that students tend to stay enrolled through the full span. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic and Black, with a very small number of white, Asian, and multiracial students. The school is a charter school, which means it has its own admissions process and is not tied to a residential attendance zone. Families apply to attend, and the school is open to any student in the state, though in practice it draws from Camden.
Chronic absenteeism is a concern. The district’s rate places it in the bottom quartile among Camden County’s districts, meaning a substantial share of students are missing enough school to affect learning. A parent may want to ask what the school does to support attendance and re-engage students who are chronically absent.
Per-pupil spending is in the lower range compared to other districts in the county. This is a single-school charter district, so its spending reflects the costs of running one school rather than a multi-site system. The graduation rate was not available in the data, so a parent should ask the school directly for its most recent four-year graduation rate.
The school is a single building in Camden, a city that has seen significant redevelopment and investment in recent years, including new housing, retail, and infrastructure projects. Camden is a dense urban environment with a mix of older rowhomes and newer construction. Housing costs in the city are lower than in many surrounding suburbs, which is a factor for families considering where to live. The school’s location in the city means it is accessible by public transit and is part of the broader Camden community.
The district brief found little in the way of recent publicly reported changes or strategic initiatives at the school. A parent may want to check the school’s website or contact the administration directly for information about current programs, curriculum updates, or facility plans.
This is a school where a family should go in with eyes open. The student body is stable across the grades, and the school offers a full K-12 pathway in a single building, which some families value for continuity. The academic results, particularly in math and science, are well below county averages, and chronic absenteeism is a real challenge. A parent considering this school will want to have a direct conversation with the administration about academic supports, attendance strategies, and what the school’s high school program looks like, including graduation rates and postsecondary outcomes.
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