The top reported proficiency rate is 61% in English language arts. The lowest is 33% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School
J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School serves students in grades four through six in Mantua Township, a residential suburb of Gloucester County about a short drive from Philadelphia. It is a regular public school within the Mantua Township School District, which sends older students to Clearview Regional Middle and High Schools. The school’s enrollment is moderate for a three-grade span, and its student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Hispanic students and a smaller number of students who identify as two or more races. Asian and Black students each make up a modest portion. Roughly one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports those populations.
Academically, J. Mason Tomlin’s state assessment results present a picture of mixed performance that improves notably in English language arts as students progress. In math, about half of fourth and sixth graders score proficient on the NJSLA, while fifth-grade math proficiency is a bit lower. The trajectory in ELA is more encouraging: roughly half of fourth graders meet proficiency, a majority of fifth graders do, and by sixth grade a large share of students perform at that level. That sixth-grade ELA result stands out as a clear strength. Science testing, which occurs in fifth grade, shows a smaller share of students reaching proficiency. Overall, the school’s combined proficiency across subjects and grades places it above the midpoint relative to other districts in Gloucester County, meaning it performs a bit better than many of its neighbors. The district brief found no major recent changes—no curriculum overhauls, referenda, or property tax shifts—so the school appears to be operating in a stable administrative context.
The community around J. Mason Tomlin is a mature, low-density suburb. Mantua Township lacks a traditional downtown; civic life centers on the municipal complex, a local museum, and parks such as Chestnut Branch Park and Tall Pines State Preserve. Housing values in the area reflect a mid-range market for the region, though no specific rental or sale figures are cited here. The township’s population growth has slowed considerably since the mid-20th century, and no major new housing developments were identified in public records. For families, this means a relatively settled residential environment rather than a rapidly expanding one. The township is car-dependent, and most commuting is likely toward Philadelphia or other employment centers in South Jersey.
Because the school serves only three upper-elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer high-school-level programs such as Advanced Placement or career pathways. Students move on to the Clearview Regional district for middle and high school, so a family considering this school should also investigate that receiving district. The absence of data on chronic absenteeism and discipline leaves gaps in understanding student engagement and school climate; a parent may want to visit or ask about those during a tour.
J. Mason Tomlin is a solid, middle-performing elementary school in a stable suburban community. Its strongest academic showing is in sixth-grade reading, while math and science are more uneven. For a family seeking a conventional public school experience in a quiet, car-oriented township, with the understanding that students will transition to a regional secondary system, this school fits that profile. Parents who prioritize early exposure to advanced coursework or a highly diverse student body may find the options limited, but for those looking for a neighborhood school with a fairly average academic track record and a manageable economic-need level, it is worth a closer look.
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