By The Pennsauken Board of Education: Nick Perry, President; JoAnn Young, Vice President; Osvaldo Alves III, Lisa Eckel; Diane Johnson; Samer John Jarbouh-Rafeh; Scott La Vine; Orlando Viera, and Dontay White; and Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, MEd²., M.S., M.B.S., M.A.2, Ed.D., Ph.D., Superintendent, Pennsauken Public Schools

School Families: The Board of Education and I would like to share some wonderful news about Pennsauken Public Schools, in particular Roosevelt STEM School. Roosevelt STEM School began as Burling Elementary School in the 2021-22 School Year. Burling was a K-5 Elementary School that was used as a catalyst to create Roosevelt STEM School, which is currently a K-6 School that will become a K-8 School in the 2024-25 School Year. Moreover, the first year of the Roosevelt STEM School project was the 2021-22 School Year at Burling Elementary School.

Based on the New Jersey School Performance Reports, including attendance and standardized test scores for mathematics and language arts, Burling Elementary School was rated the 13th best school in the State of New Jersey. Burling Elementary School (now Roosevelt STEM School) had an overall language arts Score of 76.96, an overall mathematics score of 90.18, and an attendance score of 98.71. This is a HUGE deal! Burling Elementary School (now Roosevelt STEM School) is the top ranked school in the entire South Jersey region, outscoring schools in Haddonfield, Medford, Moorestown, etc. Burling Elementary School (now Roosevelt STEM School) outscored very well-known schools in Princeton, Somerset County, Morris County, Bergen County, and Monmouth County.

The Board of Education and I would like to thank the Burling Elementary School staff that came with us on this achievement of creating this prestigious institution now known as the Roosevelt STEM School. Assistant principal, Mr. Chad Deitch, who was just named principal for the 2023-24 school year, has led the staff during this wonderful accomplishment. Finally, this is a testament to how bright and special the students in the Pennsauken School District have always been. The Board of Education and I have always said we would match our students up with any students in the country. We are very proud of our students and our school district!

Today, we are celebrating that Pennsauken students stand alone; they are the best in South Jersey and in an elite group with students in the entire state. Mathematics is known as an absolute truth, and mathematically, Pennsauken is the best in the region! Thank you for believing in our students, teaching our students, and being role models for our students. Students of Pennsauken, we celebrate your hard work. Congratulations!