The top reported proficiency rate is 33% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Joseph A. Citta Elementary School
Joseph A. Citta Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Toms River, a large township that functions as a regional commercial hub and a bedroom suburb of New York City. The school is part of the Toms River Regional School District, one of the larger suburban systems in New Jersey. The community around the school is a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors, with a historic downtown village core and access to the Barnegat Bay waterfront. The township has seen steady population growth.
State testing data from the most recent school year shows a pattern where proficiency rates decline as students advance through the grades. In English language arts, the share of students meeting the state’s proficiency standard was higher in fifth grade than in third or fourth grade, though still below a majority. In mathematics, the pattern moved in the opposite direction: students in the earlier tested grade posted a higher proficiency rate, while rates in fourth and fifth grades were markedly lower. Science results for fifth graders were the weakest of any tested subject at that grade level. Across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s combined proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile relative to other schools in Ocean County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand the instructional approach and support available for students who are not yet meeting benchmarks.
The school serves a student body where more than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the largest group of students is Hispanic, followed by White students, then Black students, with smaller shares of Asian students and students of two or more races. The student population is large enough to fill multiple sections per grade. The school is a regular public school and does not have charter or magnet status.
Housing in the school’s ZIP code is priced at a level that is somewhat above the national median. The broader Ocean County market shows a median listing price that has softened slightly year over year, while the number of active listings has grown and the market remains relatively competitive, with homes selling at a fairly quick pace. Rent is a substantial share of median household income nationally, suggesting affordability may be a consideration for some families.
The district context matters here. On the positive side, voters approved a bond referendum that funded full-day kindergarten, which launched across all elementary schools starting in the 2023-24 school year. That means families with young children can count on a full-day program at Citta. On the other hand, the district has faced significant and ongoing state aid reductions under New Jersey’s school funding formula, leading to staff and program cuts and increases to the local tax levy. And voters recently rejected a major bond referendum that would have funded roof repairs, HVAC work, security upgrades, and athletic facility improvements across the district, leaving those infrastructure needs unaddressed for now. The district has announced plans to bring a revised, smaller proposal to voters.
There is no graduation rate to report because this school serves only elementary grades. Information on chronic absenteeism, special education identification rates, English learner enrollment, and other civil rights indicators was not available in the data provided. This gap often reflects the nature of reporting at the elementary level. The school website and district communications would be useful resources for families looking for a fuller picture of student support services and school climate.
For a parent considering Citta, the core takeaway is a school that serves a high-need population in a large district navigating financial pressures. The academic results sit below many peers in the county, a trend that families will want to explore further. The shift to full-day kindergarten is a tangible recent improvement. The broader Toms River area offers suburban amenities, a range of housing options, and the benefits of a regional hub, but also carries a tax burden shaped by the district’s ongoing state aid reductions and unmet capital needs.
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