The top reported proficiency rate is 38% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School
Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School operates as its own district in Burlington County, New Jersey, but the entire district is a single school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. For families, that means a small, self-contained setting: the charter structure gives it independence from a traditional local school board, and the grade span means students stay in one building from early childhood through middle school.
Enrollment is small, and the student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic share and small numbers of Asian and White students. Data on free or reduced-price meal eligibility, students with disabilities, and English learners were not reported, so a parent looking for those details would need to ask the school directly.
State testing results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment show that proficiency rates in math and English language arts are well below the typical district in the county across most tested grades. The overall proficiency index, which averages performance across subjects and grades, places this school among the lowest in Burlington County when compared to other districts. In math, proficiency was in the single digits or teens in several grades, with a modest uptick in fifth grade. English language arts showed a wider range, from about a quarter of students proficient in third and seventh grades to roughly half in fifth and sixth grades. Science results for fifth and eighth grades were also low. A parent considering this school should inquire directly about instructional supports, interventions, and any recent initiatives aimed at raising achievement.
On a positive note, chronic absenteeism is low, better than in most districts in the county. That suggests students are generally showing up regularly, a foundation the school can build on. Per-pupil current spending is on the low side relative to other Burlington County districts, which may affect the breadth of programs and services available. There is no graduation rate because the school does not serve high school grades; families will need to plan for a transition to a high school elsewhere.
No recent parent-relevant changes in the district could be confirmed from publicly available information, and no locale brief was provided, so the surrounding community context is not detailed here.
For a family, Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School offers a small, K-8 charter environment with a majority-minority student body and a low rate of chronic absences. The academic performance on state assessments is an area that merits a close conversation with school leaders to understand the school’s approach and any current efforts to improve student outcomes. The school’s spending level and the absence of reported data on free lunch eligibility and special education populations mean that a prospective parent will want to gather more information directly.
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