The top reported proficiency rate is 75% in Math. The lowest is 48% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Van Sciver Elementary School
Van Sciver Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade and is one of several elementary schools in the Haddon Township School District. The school is located in Haddonfield, a primarily residential suburb with a historic downtown centered on Kings Highway. Haddonfield is known for its historic homes, a walkable main street, and a concentration of attorneys that makes it a legal center for southern New Jersey. It has been a dry town for decades, meaning alcohol cannot be sold, and it carries notably high property taxes, the highest in Camden County. The borough is small and essentially built out, with a historic preservation district that limits new development. Population growth has been modest and incremental. Civic anchors include the Indian King Tavern State Historic Site, Hopkins Pond, and a volunteer fire company that is one of the oldest continuously operating in the country.
The school itself serves a moderate-sized enrollment for an elementary school. The student body is predominantly white, with a smaller share of Hispanic students and even smaller shares of Asian and Black students. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common measure of economic need.
State testing results from the 2024-25 school year show a mixed picture that a parent would want to consider by grade. In mathematics, the school performed well overall. Proficient performance was highest among fourth graders, very strong among fifth graders, and solid among third graders. In English language arts, the pattern was more uneven. Fourth graders posted a very high proficiency rate, while fifth graders were moderately strong. Third graders, however, showed a lower proficiency rate that stands out as a soft spot compared to the rest of the school's results. Science testing, which is given only in grade five, showed proficiency at a moderate level below the school's math performance.
When compared to other districts in Camden County, Van Sciver's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile. That is a strong position relative to the county, consistent with the general academic reputation of the area. However, the third-grade ELA result is an outlier within the school that a parent may want to ask about, especially to understand whether it reflects a cohort effect or something the school is addressing.
The school serves only elementary grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available. Information on special education and English learner populations was also missing from the data provided. Those are gaps worth noting; a parent with a child who has an individualized education plan or is learning English may want to contact the school directly about services and supports.
Housing in the area is expensive. Home values in the school's zip code are well above national and state benchmarks. Rents are also high relative to incomes, reflecting the desirability of the community. The borough's high property tax bill is a recurring point for anyone considering a move here. The housing market in Camden County shows steady activity, with a moderate number of homes for sale and prices continuing to rise.
The district itself did not produce identifiable recent changes of lasting impact from the search conducted, so there is no news about a major curriculum shift, boundary change, or leadership transition to report. The school operates as a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Program offerings beyond what is measured by state testing were not part of the data provided. A parent who wants to know about arts, music, physical education, or enrichment offerings would need to check the school's website or visit.
Van Sciver Elementary offers a picture of solid academic performance in a historic, high-cost, and slow-growing suburb. The school's strongest results are in math across the grades and in fourth-grade ELA. The third-grade reading result is a point of caution that warrants a conversation with the school. For a family already in the Haddon Township district or considering moving to this part of Camden County, the school provides a generally strong academic starting point through the elementary years.
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