The top reported proficiency rate is 28% in Math. The lowest is 25% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Clayton J. Davenport Elementary School
Clayton J. Davenport Elementary School is one of the primary entry points for children in the Egg Harbor Township School District, serving kindergarten through third grade. Because it covers only the earliest elementary years, the school does not have a graduation rate, nor do academic outcome measures for older grades apply here. The school is a regular public school, and while Title I status was not listed in the data provided, a substantial share of its students come from households that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
The school sits within a large suburban township that grew rapidly through the second half of the twentieth century and is now home to a diverse population. Egg Harbor Township has no traditional walkable downtown; its schools, including Davenport, are spread across separate campuses that require driving between them. The township’s commercial life runs along the Black Horse Pike and White Horse Pike corridors, and major employers include Atlantic City International Airport and the regional healthcare sector. Housing values in the area are above the national median, and the local housing market has been active, with demand slightly outpacing supply. The district has held its school tax rate flat for multiple consecutive budgets, a point of financial stability for residents.
The school’s enrollment is relatively large for a primary building, drawing children from across the surrounding subdivisions. The student body is notably diverse: roughly two-fifths of students are Hispanic or Latino, about a quarter are white, and the remainder are Asian, Black, or of two or more races. A substantial majority of families qualify for free or reduced-price meals, which gives a clear picture of the economic context many students come from. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the materials reviewed, so a parent seeking details on special education or language support services would want to follow up directly with the school.
State testing results are available for third grade, the only grade at Davenport that participates in New Jersey’s standardized assessments. The proficiency rates in both math and English language arts sit below the midpoint when compared across schools in Atlantic County. In math, fewer than three in ten tested students scored at the proficient or advanced level, and in English language arts, about a quarter of students reached that benchmark. These numbers give a clear indication that academic performance at the school is an area the district and school are likely focused on improving. A family considering this school may want to ask about the specific instructional strategies and interventions in place, especially given that early elementary years are foundational for later achievement.
The broader district context offers some relevant developments. The Egg Harbor Township district has expanded STEM offerings at the middle school level and created a dual-enrollment partnership with Stockton University for high school students, though these programs are several years ahead of where Davenport students currently sit. The district is also exploring a facilities referendum to address aging infrastructure, with potential projects including roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, security entrance renovations, and classroom additions. That referendum has not yet been put to voters, but it signals that the district is planning for its physical plant needs.
For a family, this school offers the experience of a large, diverse primary school in a car-dependent suburban township with stable property tax rates. The proficiency numbers on state tests are a soft spot that warrants a conversation with the school about academic support and how the school works with students who arrive below benchmark. Because Davenport ends at third grade, students will move on to one of the district’s intermediate or middle schools, so the longer arc of the district’s programming matters as well.
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