The top reported proficiency rate is 48% in English language arts. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on John C. Milanesi Elementary School
John C. Milanesi Elementary School is a small, regular public school serving children from pre-kindergarten through second grade in the Buena Regional School District. It occupies a single campus in the borough of Buena, a small community in western Atlantic County with a rural-suburban character and a strong Italian-American heritage. The borough sits within the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, giving the surrounding area a preserved, natural backdrop, and the school itself draws from a regional catchment that includes both Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township.
The school's enrollment is small for the grade band it covers. The student body is majority white, with a substantial share of Hispanic students and smaller numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. A meaningful proportion of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, leaving a gap for families who might want to understand special education support or language services.
State testing data was available only for grade 3, even though the school's stated grade band ends at second grade. The reason for this mismatch is not explained in the data. On those grade 3 assessments, the share of students meeting the state's proficiency standard was slightly higher in English language arts than in math, and overall the school performed above the midpoint relative to other districts in Atlantic County. This is a solid result for an early elementary school, though parents should note that the test results come from a grade the school may not currently serve, and the data is from a past school year.
Because Milanesi serves only the earliest grades, many metrics that typically appear for older schools do not apply here. There is no graduation rate, no chronic absenteeism rate, and no information on course access, discipline, or staffing. Families looking for insight into the middle and high school experience within the same district would need to look at the feeder schools that serve older students.
Housing in Buena is moderately priced relative to the state, with typical home values below the New Jersey average. The local housing market shows stable demand, with a modest supply of active listings. The borough's population has been steady to slightly declining, and its inclusion in the Pinelands Reserve likely limits large-scale development. The community offers a few local amenities such as parks, a bike path, and Bellview Winery, and Philadelphia is a short drive via the Atlantic City Expressway.
This school is a natural fit for a family seeking a small, community-anchored early elementary setting in a quiet, semi-rural part of southern New Jersey. The academic picture, while limited, is encouraging for a school of this type. A parent who needs specific information about special education services, English learner support, or the transition to the upper elementary school may want to follow up directly with the district.
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