The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Gertrude C. Folwell Elementary School
Gertrude C. Folwell Elementary School is a regular public school in Mount Holly, New Jersey, serving only grades two through four. It is part of the Mount Holly Township Public School District and sits in a township that functions as the county seat of Burlington County, a mix of government center, small downtown, and residential community. The school’s grade band is narrow—children attend for just three years before moving to another elementary or intermediate school—so the experience is tightly focused on the early elementary years.
The student body is diverse. White students make up the largest single group, but Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students each account for a meaningful share, and there are small Asian and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander populations as well. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families face economic challenges. The school’s enrollment is small, and each grade level is served in its own classroom groups. Because Folwell does not serve kindergarten or first grade, families will need to consider how their child transitions into the school at second grade.
On state assessments administered in the 2024-25 school year, the school’s proficiency rates in both math and English language arts were below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Burlington County. In math, about two in five students scored at the proficient or advanced level in both third and fourth grade. In English language arts, roughly three in ten third graders and a slightly higher share of fourth graders met the proficiency bar. These results point to an area where the school may be working to improve academic outcomes; a parent may want to ask the school directly about its instructional supports and interventions. Science testing data is available only from an earlier year, and the assessment has since changed, making it unreliable for current comparison. The school does not have a graduation rate because it does not serve high school grades. Chronic absenteeism and special population data such as IEP and English learner counts were not reported in the available data, so it is not possible to assess those dimensions from the information at hand.
Mount Holly itself has a historic downtown organized around High Street, with 18th- and 19th-century buildings, a county courthouse, and a preserved mill park along Rancocas Creek. The township is compact for its size, and the school’s Jacksonville Road address is a short drive from the downtown core. Housing values in Mount Holly’s zip code are below the statewide benchmark but above the national median, and rental costs place a moderate burden relative to income. The housing market in Burlington County has seen steady active listings and a modest increase in median listing price, suggesting a fairly balanced market for families looking to move into the area. The district itself has not experienced any major recent changes that were publicly reported, so the educational environment appears stable.
Folwell Elementary offers a straightforward, neighborhood-school experience for children in the middle of their elementary years. The school serves a community with significant economic diversity, and its academic results on state tests suggest that there is room for growth. For a family considering Mount Holly, the school fits as a compact, grade-specific option within a small district, and the town’s historic character and county services provide a distinct sense of place. Families who value strong test scores may want to explore how the school supports students who are not yet meeting the proficiency standard.
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