The top reported proficiency rate is 42% in English language arts. The lowest is 14% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ocean Academy Charter School
Ocean Academy Charter School is a K-8 charter school in Lakewood, New Jersey, serving a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. The school operates as its own district, a single-school charter entity, and is located in a rapidly growing township with a distinctive cultural character. Lakewood is a densely populated, fast-growing community where the Orthodox Jewish community makes up more than half the population and a significant Latino population is also present. The township has a recognizable downtown commercial core, but schools and religious institutions are spread across residential neighborhoods. The area is largely car-dependent, though some central neighborhoods have a denser, more walkable commercial texture. Lakewood is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in New Jersey, driven by high birth rates and in-migration, and new residential construction continues at a rapid pace.
Ocean Academy Charter School serves kindergarten through eighth grade, with a total enrollment that is small for a school covering this grade band. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of Black students and a very small share of white students. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data.
The school's academic performance on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment shows a mixed picture. In English language arts, proficiency rates vary by grade. Third grade and seventh grade posted the strongest results, with roughly half of students or more meeting the state's proficiency standard. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grades clustered in the range of roughly a third to two-fifths proficient. Eighth grade saw a notable drop, with about a quarter of students meeting the bar. In math, the pattern is more consistent and weaker. Third grade was the strongest, with a little over half of students proficient. Every subsequent grade saw a decline, with fourth grade at roughly a third, fifth grade at under a third, and sixth through eighth grades all at roughly a fifth to a quarter proficient. Science results were low, with fifth grade at roughly a quarter proficient and eighth grade at a very small share. Compared to other districts in Ocean County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint of the county.
The school's enrollment is small for a K-8 school. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of Black students and a very small share of white students. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data.
The school is a charter school, operating independently of the Lakewood School District. It is a regular public school, not a magnet or alternative school. The school's website, as publicly reported, indicates that it has opened a new high school building and is expanding its grade span to include up to twelfth grade, offering a continuous K-12 charter option for families. This expansion means the school will eventually serve students through high school, though the current data reflects only the K-8 program.
Housing in the area is expensive. Home values in the zip code are above the national median and roughly in line with the state median. Rents are also high. The national unemployment rate and 30-year mortgage rate were both moderate at the time of the data.
The school's academic performance on state assessments shows a clear pattern. In English language arts, the strongest results came in third and seventh grades, where roughly half of students or more met the state's proficiency standard. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grades were weaker, with about a third to two-fifths proficient. Eighth grade was the weakest, with just over a quarter proficient. In math, the pattern is more consistent and weaker across the board. Third grade was the strongest, with a little over half of students proficient. Every grade after that saw a decline, with fourth grade at roughly a third, fifth grade at under a third, and sixth through eighth grades all at roughly a fifth to a quarter proficient. Science results were low, with fifth grade at roughly a quarter proficient and eighth grade at a very small share. Compared to other districts in Ocean County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint.
The school's enrollment is small for a K-8 school. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of Black students and a very small share of white students. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data.
The school is a charter school, operating independently of the Lakewood School District. It is a regular public school, not a magnet or alternative school. The school's website, as publicly reported, indicates that it has opened a new high school building and is expanding its grade span to include up to twelfth grade, offering a continuous K-12 charter option for families. This expansion means the school will eventually serve students through high school, though the current data reflects only the K-8 program.
Housing in the area is expensive. Home values in the zip code are above the national median and roughly in line with the state median. Rents are also high. The national unemployment rate and 30-year mortgage rate were both moderate at the time of the data.
The school's academic performance on state assessments shows a clear pattern. In English language arts, the strongest results came in third and seventh grades, where roughly half of students or more met the state's proficiency standard. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grades were weaker, with about a third to two-fifths proficient. Eighth grade was the weakest, with just over a quarter proficient. In math, the pattern is more consistent and weaker across the board. Third grade was the strongest, with a little over half of students proficient. Every grade after that saw a decline, with fourth grade at roughly a third, fifth grade at under a third, and sixth through eighth grades all at roughly a fifth to a quarter proficient. Science results were low, with fifth grade at roughly a quarter proficient and eighth grade at a very small share. Compared to other districts in Ocean County, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits below the midpoint.
The school's enrollment is small for a K-8 school. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, with a much smaller share of Black students and a very small share of white students. A very large share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the source data.
The school is a charter school, operating independently of the Lakewood School District. It is a regular public school, not a magnet or alternative school. The school's website, as publicly reported, indicates that it has opened a new high school building and is expanding its grade span to include up to twelfth grade, offering a continuous K-12 charter option for families. This expansion means the school will eventually serve students through high school, though the current data reflects only the K-8 program.
Housing in the area is expensive. Home values in the zip code are above the national median and roughly in line with the state median. Rents are also high. The national unemployment rate and 30-year mortgage rate were both moderate at the time of the data.
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