The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on W. R. James Sr. Elementary School
W. R. James Sr. Elementary School is one of five elementary schools in the Willingboro Public School District, serving children in first through fourth grade. The school sits in Willingboro, a predominantly residential suburb of Philadelphia that was developed in the mid-twentieth century as a Levitt & Sons planned community, the third and largest Levittown. Willingboro is organized into twelve sections called “parks,” with curvilinear streets, mature trees, and no traditional downtown—schools, parks, and civic facilities are spread across the township. A Town Center area holds commercial buildings, and the Kennedy Center functions as the main recreational and cultural hub. The community later became a predominantly African American suburb, and that demographic character is reflected in the school’s student body.
Academically, the available state test results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments place overall proficiency well below the midpoint among districts in Burlington County, landing in the bottom quartile. In third-grade math, roughly one in five students scored proficient or above, and in fourth-grade math the share was similar. In English language arts, about a quarter of third graders met the proficiency bar, while fourth-grade ELA proficiency was a bit under one in five. These numbers point to a school where a majority of students are not yet reaching grade-level benchmarks in reading and math. A parent may want to ask the school what academic interventions or supports are in place, particularly for students who are behind. Because the school serves only early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and chronic absenteeism data was not available in the source material.
The school enrolls a modest-sized student body for its grade band. More than half of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, indicating a substantial share of households with lower income. The student population is predominantly Black, with a sizable Hispanic minority and small shares identifying as white, two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian. Data on students with individualized education plans and English learners was not reported in the available records, so that picture is incomplete.
The district recently underwent a significant reorganization. In the fall of 2024, the Willingboro Board of Education voted to close Willingboro Memorial Middle School, moving middle school students into the high school building. That consolidation permanently changes feeder patterns for all elementary schools in the district, including W. R. James Sr. Elementary, and families with young children will want to understand how this restructure affects the pathway from elementary through secondary grades. The district’s website may have updated school assignment maps and timelines.
Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to the broader New Jersey market. In the zip code that includes the school, home values have risen modestly in the past year. The countywide housing market shows a moderate inventory of listings, with homes typically selling after about a month on the market. Rents in the area are a significant portion of median household income, which aligns with the income profile of many families in the school. Willingboro remains a relatively affordable option compared to many Burlington County communities, with a housing stock that includes mid-century single-family homes, townhouses, senior housing, and two newer apartment complexes.
The school itself is a regular public school with no charter or magnet designation. Title I status was not indicated in the records, but given the share of students eligible for subsidized meals, the school likely receives federal Title I funding for additional academic support. The building is located on Pinetree Lane in a residential section of Willingboro.
For a parent or resident evaluating whether this elementary school fits their family, the picture is of a small school in a planned suburban community, serving a predominantly Black and Hispanic student body with high economic need. Academic proficiency is low by county standards, and the district is in the middle of a structural reorganization that changes where students attend middle and high school. A family considering this school would want to tour the building, talk to teachers about literacy and math instruction, and ask about class sizes and intervention programs. The broader township offers parks, open space, and bus access to Philadelphia, but the school’s test results and the district’s recent consolidation are the key factors to weigh.
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