The top reported proficiency rate is 39% in English language arts. The lowest is 19% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Creativity Colaboratory Charter School
Creativity CoLaboratory Charter School is a single-school charter district serving grades five through eight in Salem County, New Jersey. As a charter school, it operates outside the traditional residentially assigned district structure, meaning any family in the region can apply for admission through a lottery system. The school’s stated focus is an arts-integrated STEAM program, and it has experienced rapid growth since its founding, roughly doubling its enrollment within a few years, which indicates sustained demand and a growing school community that a prospective family would join.
The student body is predominantly White, with the remaining students identifying as Hispanic, Black, multiracial, or Asian. The school draws students from across a wide geographic area, as is typical for charters, so families should be prepared for the possibility of a longer commute or reliance on private transportation, as the school does not operate a traditional neighborhood busing system. Information on the proportion of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, as well as data on students with disabilities and English learners, was not available in the data provided.
Academically, the school’s performance on the state’s New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) is mixed and shows a clear pattern. In English language arts, proficiency rates rise from a low point in fifth grade to a higher point in seventh grade, then dip slightly in eighth grade. In mathematics, the pattern is similar but the rates are lower overall, with the highest proficiency occurring in seventh grade and very low rates in fifth and eighth grades. In science, tested in grades five and eight, proficiency was identical in both grades. When compared across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile among Salem County’s districts.
The school’s chronic absenteeism rate, however, is a strength, landing in the top quartile among the county’s districts, meaning students are consistently showing up to class. This is a positive indicator of school engagement and a stable learning environment. Per-pupil spending is in the lower range compared to other Salem County districts, which is not unusual for a charter school that operates on a different funding formula than traditional public schools.
Because this is a grade five through eight school, there is no graduation rate to report. The school also does not serve high school grades, so families should plan for where their child will attend after eighth grade. The data provided does not include any civil rights data, such as discipline rates or advanced course access, so a parent who wants to understand those aspects of the school environment would need to reach out to the school directly.
This is a young, growing school with a specific programmatic focus. Its academic results on state tests, particularly in math, are below the median of other districts in the county, and a parent considering this school may want to ask the school about how its arts-integrated approach connects to math instruction and what supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks. The growth in enrollment suggests that many families in the region are choosing this option.
See more original research from School Decision →