The top reported proficiency rate is 49% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Clara B. Worth Elementary School
Clara B. Worth Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Bayville, a suburban unincorporated community within Berkeley Township, Ocean County. It is one of several elementary schools in the Berkeley Township School District, and its campus on Central Parkway sits among single-family residential neighborhoods in a car-dependent area where Route 9 serves as the main commercial corridor. The school’s enrollment is substantial for an early-elementary grade band, with a student body that is predominantly white, with a notable Hispanic presence and smaller shares of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that suggests a mix of income levels among families.
On state assessments, the school’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Ocean County, a solid position. Looking at individual grade and subject results, the picture is mixed. In English language arts, fourth graders performed strongest: a majority of those tested met the state’s proficiency benchmark. Third-grade ELA results were lower, with a smaller share achieving proficiency. In mathematics, both third and fourth graders showed proficiency rates in a similar range to the third-grade ELA figure, meaning roughly two-fifths of students in those grades reached the bar. These results suggest that while the school’s composite index is above average for the county, there is variation across grades and subjects. A parent may want to discuss with the school how instruction and support differ between grade levels.
Because Clara B. Worth only goes through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate or high school outcome data for this school. The district brief, which looked for recent changes such as curriculum shifts, referendums, or property tax moves, turned up no publicly reported information. The community itself has grown substantially in recent decades, and Bayville’s housing market reflects that demand: home values and rents are elevated, consistent with a coastal New Jersey suburb within commuting distance of Toms River and the Jersey Shore. The area lacks a walkable downtown; schools, municipal offices, and commercial strips are spread along roadways rather than clustered.
The school’s student composition is shaped by the surrounding community’s demographics. Information on special education and English learner populations was not available in the data provided, so a reader interested in those supports should check directly with the school. No program offerings, such as gifted or intervention services, were listed in the available records, and staff-to-student ratios were also absent. These gaps are common for a primary school but worth noting for families who prioritize specific academic pathways.
Overall, Clara B. Worth Elementary offers a typical suburban public school experience for young children in a growing area of Ocean County. Its test performance is generally above the county median, with a particular strength in fourth-grade reading, while math and third-grade reading outcomes are more moderate. Families considering this school will want to explore how the district handles the transition to upper elementary and middle school, since the school’s grade span is limited. The lack of detailed information about student support services and program offerings means that direct outreach to the school is advisable for a full picture.
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