The top reported proficiency rate is 34% in Math. The lowest is 27% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Thomas Richards Early Childhood Center
Thomas Richards Early Childhood Center serves children from preschool through kindergarten in Atco, New Jersey, operating as a regular public school within the Waterford Township School District. Because it serves only the earliest grades, the school does not report a graduation rate, nor does it have state assessment results for its own students—those tests begin in grade three. The one set of testing data available comes from the 2018-19 school year, when the building was still called Thomas Richards Elementary and served a broader grade span, including third graders. Those results put overall proficiency in math and English language arts below the midpoint relative to other districts in Camden County. Since the school has since shifted to an early childhood center, that data is from a different grade configuration and may not reflect the current program or student body. A parent interested in academic outcomes should confirm with the school what learning benchmarks are used for preschool and kindergarten students.
Atco is a suburban census-designated place in Waterford Township, about a short drive southeast of Camden. The community is primarily residential, with development spread along Route 73 and the White Horse Pike rather than gathered around a traditional downtown. Walkability is limited, and most errands require a car. The area borders Wharton State Forest, which offers hiking and camping, and Atco Lake provides a nearby natural feature. A notable local landmark is the Atco Dragway, a motorsport venue that has operated for many decades and is a cultural fixture. Housing values in Atco are somewhat above the national median, and the local market has seen steady price increases in recent years, with homes selling relatively quickly. The population has been growing since the area was first designated as a census place before the 2020 census, though specific development projects were not identified in publicly available sources.
The school enrolls a modest number of children for its two grade levels. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic share and a smaller Black share, along with a small percentage of students identifying as two or more races. About one in five students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic diversity. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the records reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about these populations and the support services in place.
The district itself participates in New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice program, meaning families who live outside Waterford Township can apply to enroll their children, subject to available space. This program has been active for the most recent application cycle and may affect the composition of classes and the school’s funding. No other major district-level changes were found in recent public reporting.
Because Thomas Richards Early Childhood Center focuses on the earliest school years, the main question for a family is what kind of environment it provides for young children. The school offers a regular public school setting rather than a specialized program such as a magnet or charter. The community context is suburban and car-oriented, with outdoor recreation accessible at the nearby state forest. The school’s academic track record from earlier years is of limited relevance to a family enrolling a preschooler or kindergartner today; a conversation with the school about its early childhood curriculum, assessment practices, and kindergarten readiness goals would be more useful. Families who value a small, local early childhood center within a growing suburban area may find this a good fit.
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