Serving 988 students in grades 6-8, Howard M. Phifer Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in New Jersey for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 17% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 31% (which is lower than the New Jersey state average of 49%).
The student-teacher ratio of 12:1 is higher than the New Jersey state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 63% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 988 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 95%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NJ
- Math Proficiency: 17% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 31% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 7% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Howard M Phifer Middle School's attendance zone covers the entire school district in Merchantville, NJ, encompassing approximately 12.1 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes about 5-10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the zone located up to 4.9 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
School Overview
Howard M. Phifer Middle School's student population of 988 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 82 teachers has declined by 9% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
988 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
82 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Howard M. Phifer Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,184 schools in New Jersey (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Howard M. Phifer Middle School is 0.57, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1809 out of 2184 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
38%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
31%
49%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
7%
23%
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
9%
11%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
62%
35%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Black
21%
14%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
5%
37%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
3%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)20.6%
16.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
73%
38%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
9%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NJ Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Howard M. Phifer Middle School's ranking?
Howard M. Phifer Middle School is ranked #1809 out of 2,184 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in New Jersey.
What schools are Howard M. Phifer Middle School often compared to?
Howard M. Phifer Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Pennsauken Intermediate School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
17% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% NJ state average), while 31% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 49% NJ state average).
How many students attend Howard M. Phifer Middle School?
988 students attend Howard M. Phifer Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of Howard M. Phifer Middle School students are Hispanic, 21% of students are Black, 9% of students are Asian, 5% of students are White, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Howard M. Phifer Middle School?
Howard M. Phifer Middle School has a student ration of 12:1, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 11:1.
What grades does Howard M. Phifer Middle School offer ?
Howard M. Phifer Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Howard M. Phifer Middle School part of?
Howard M. Phifer Middle School is part of Pennsauken Township Board Of Education School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
I am a 8th grade student attending Phifer. And I would never in a million years recommend this school to anyone. Most teachers do not care about the work and most students don't care also. Phifer is full of rowdy, uneducated children!! Also, some teachers give very little homework or tests.
5 10/10/2025
I do recomind this school the teacher are very nice. Also they give like 3 benchmarks and test so they do give out alot a test, maybe not a lot of homework but I get an A ir an A- sometimes a B+ .
2 10/10/2025
I do not like this school it's very crowded and some teachers are not fun and the students are HORRIBLE.
Review Howard M. Phifer Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Does Your Public School Have Enough Nurses?
Learn whether your public school has enough nurses, how staffing affects student safety, chronic illness management, emergency care, and what parents should ask about available school health services today.
When Your Child Falls Behind Without Special Education
Learn what happens when your child falls behind academically but doesn't qualify for special education, including available school interventions, parent rights, tutoring options, and practical strategies for securing support.
When Your Child Finishes Classwork Faster Than Others
Discover why some children finish classwork faster than classmates, how teachers manage early finishers, and what parents can do to ensure meaningful learning, appropriate challenges, and continued academic growth.
