The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Math. The lowest is 28% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Richard L Rice School
Richard L Rice School is a regular public elementary school serving prekindergarten through fifth grade in Marlton, part of New Jersey’s Evesham Township School District. The school sits in a suburban residential area that many people colloquially refer to as Marlton, though the school is one of several elementary buildings serving the township. With a moderate enrollment for this grade band, the school includes a notably large prekindergarten program, which makes up a substantial share of its student body. The student population is predominantly white, with a meaningful mix of Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students, and a very small share of American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is quite low, reflecting the area’s generally above‑median household incomes.
Academically, Rice School performs above the midpoint among Burlington County districts when overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades is measured. State test results for the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment show a mixed picture by grade and subject. In mathematics, roughly half of third and fourth graders scored proficient or above, but that share dropped to about a third for fifth graders. In English language arts, close to half of students in each tested grade met the proficiency threshold, with fourth graders performing slightly better than third or fifth graders. Fifth‑grade science results, where the state’s proficiency cutoff is set at a different level, show just over a quarter of students meeting the bar. That science figure is a soft spot a parent may want to explore further with the school, especially since it is the only year science is tested at the elementary level. Because Rice School serves only grades PK‑5, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data is not available in the provided information.
The school’s demographic profile suggests a peer environment shaped by the community’s economic context. The area is a well‑established suburban setting with commercial corridors along Routes 70 and 73. Housing values in the Marlton zip code are above the national benchmark, and typical rents are also elevated relative to national averages. The local housing market shows a moderate pace of sales with limited inventory, which aligns with the area’s reputation as a desirable suburb within commuting distance of Philadelphia. NJ Transit bus service provides some public transit connectivity, but the community is overwhelmingly car‑dependent, with no traditional downtown and schools distributed across the suburban landscape.
No recent parent‑relevant changes were reported from the district, and the district brief found no significant policy shifts or facility updates in the past few years. Data on special populations, such as students with disabilities or English learners, was not available in the school’s profile, so a parent with a child who has an Individualized Education Program or is learning English may wish to contact the school directly to understand the support provided. Program offerings, staffing ratios, and discipline data were also absent from the available materials, which limits a deeper assessment of the school environment beyond academics.
Overall, Richard L Rice School presents itself as a solid suburban elementary option within a district that, when compared to others in Burlington County, lands above the midpoint on overall test performance. Its strong prekindergarten presence and very low poverty rate set it apart from many peers, while the fifth‑grade math and science results offer areas where the school may be working to improve. The community context is one of established suburban affluence, low turnover, and car‑oriented living, which fits families seeking a stable, residential setting with ready access to shopping and highway connections.
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