Seth Boyden Elementary School

274 Boyden Avenue

School District

South Orange-Maplewood
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for South Orange-Maplewood School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 23, 2022

The school lacks diversity in its staff. There are no minority males teachers and a handful of minority female teachers for a majority minority based school. The school state test results for reading and math are subpar but there are no extra curricular reading or math programs offered. The I & RS programs do not support the curriculum being taught in the class room thus the students in the I & RS programs will never be current. The drum program and stepping programs show a lack of creativity to engage students. The schools administers have not provided an environment to enhance all students to learn. The bar is lowered for the student population instead of raised. Teachers are not encourage to be creative in learning. Male teachers have no say in the learning process. The after school programs are YMCA based and not academic. The school is safe and friendly. Parents are kind and care. The students love their school and are great.
Submitted by parent on November 03, 2016

Our family loves this school! We switched our daughter to Seth Boyden from an expensive, "brand-name" private school that wasn't academically challenging enough, and Seth Boyden is SO MUCH BETTER. The teaching has been excellent. It's great for all kids, with all kinds of strengths and/or challenges, because the school emphasizes differentiated learning and multiple intelligences. The community of kids and families is awesome -- welcoming, diverse, not clique-y. There are lots of outdoor learning opportunities (outdoor classroom, vegetable garden) and lots of chances for kids to be creative and learn about the arts (Shakespeare for 4th-graders, "dancing classroom" for 5th-graders, huge variety show). There's a big emphasis on literacy, and through reading, writing, and classroom activities, the kids cover a huge amount of current events, history, and science. The math curriculum is strong, too.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

The Seth Boyden Demonstration School was established to meet the needs of a diverse student population reflecting the integrated communities of South Orange and Maplewood. Dedicated to a multiple intelligence approach to learning, (Howard Gardner's theory of different learning styles), the faculty strive to find learning modes that work best for each individual child and to build on their strengths. The school serves as a district-wide resource for staff development. The school attracts similarly-minded families who appreciate the diversity. Seth Boyden has an excellent art and music program. And the fifth graders put on a spring musical each year. The PTA is very strong and active.
Submitted by other on May 10, 2013

This school ranking is not reflective of the school. This school is exceptional and should be ranked 9.5 or 10. The leadership is awesome and it's shows in the staff as well.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2012

Two of my three children already graduated from Seth Boyden. What a fantastic school. Very involved principal, great school community, very active PTA. My kids got a great start!