Clara Parker Intermediate School, Trenton NJ

Original Research by School Decision on Clara Parker Intermediate School

Clara Parker Intermediate School is a regular public school in Trenton serving grades four through six. It is part of the Trenton Public School District. The school is neither a charter nor a magnet, and it operates as a conventional neighborhood intermediate school. With an enrollment that is moderate for a three-grade span, the school sits in a dense urban setting in New Jersey’s capital city.

State assessment results from the most recent testing year show that proficiency rates across math, English language arts, and science are low. In every tested grade and subject, the share of students scoring at or above the proficient level is in the single digits or low double digits, with science notably the weakest area. Compared to other districts in Mercer County, Clara Parker’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. A parent looking at these numbers will want to discuss with the school what academic interventions and support structures are in place, and how the school is working to raise achievement.

The student body is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Additional demographic detail on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data provided. The school does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate is reported, and chronic absenteeism data is also absent.

Trenton itself is a densely populated city that serves as the state capital and the county seat. Its economy is dominated by state government, though it retains a legacy of manufacturing. The city is served by three commuter rail systems, and downtown is clustered along the Delaware River with government buildings and historic districts. Housing values in the area are below the state average, and rental costs absorb a noticeable share of household income, an affordability consideration for families.

At the district level, Trenton Public Schools has implemented a district-wide cell-phone-free policy using Yondr pouches, which means students lock their phones away during the school day. That is a clear change in daily routine and communication expectations for families. The district is also working on a new strategic plan, called the 3R's Strategic Plan, and has invited community input. These initiatives suggest a district actively trying to shift culture and focus.

Clara Parker Intermediate School serves a high-needs urban population, and its academic performance is a significant concern. For a family considering this school, the most important next step is to ask directly about the school's improvement efforts, tiered support for struggling students, and what programs or enrichment exist within the building. The school’s setting offers the resources of a capital city, but the academic pathway will require close attention and advocacy.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 47%

School 7% · District 5% · ▲ 2 pts above district

▼ 39 pts below state median · ▼ 30 pts below county median

Grade 59%

School 9% · District 5% · ▲ 4 pts above district

▼ 34 pts below state median · ▼ 26 pts below county median

Grade 66%

School 6% · District 3% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 28 pts below state median · ▼ 12 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 49%

School 9% · District 9%

▼ 46 pts below state median · ▼ 46 pts below county median

Grade 510%

School 10% · District 7% · ▲ 3 pts above district

▼ 44 pts below state median · ▼ 36 pts below county median

Grade 621%

School 21% · District 9% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▼ 33 pts below state median · ▼ 23 pts below county median

Science

Grade 54%

School 4% · District 3% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 24 pts below state median · ▼ 11 pts below county median

This schoolTrenton Public School District, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 3Lower-income9%Higher-income14%6 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income10%Higher-income6%4 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income10%Higher-income11%1 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income19%Higher-income27%8 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 3Lower-income8%Higher-income36%27 pp gap

Grade 4Lower-income8%Higher-income3%5 pp gap

Grade 5Lower-income10%Higher-income4%6 pp gap

Grade 6Lower-income7%Higher-income3%4 pp gap