Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School

www.somsd.k12.nj.us

373 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School, located in Maplewood, New Jersey, is a unique public institution within the South Orange & Maplewood School District known for its commitment to progressive, child-centered education. As a "demonstration school," it serves as a laboratory for innovative teaching practices, often focusing on integrated, project-based learning that encourages students to move beyond standard textbook instruction. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to development, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Beyond its academic curriculum, Seth Boyden is widely recognized for its strong emphasis on the arts and environmental education. The school features an expansive outdoor learning space, including a working farm and garden, which provides students with hands-on experience in sustainability, biology, and nutrition. With a community-focused culture that values parent involvement and individualized instruction, the school aims to cultivate well-rounded, inquisitive learners who are prepared to navigate and contribute to a complex, global society.

373

Total Students

46.0

Full-Time Teachers

8.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

25.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Seth Boyden Elementary Demonstration School
Demographic	Student Count
White	129
Hispanic	36
Black	166
Asian	7
Two or More	31
American Indian	2
Pacific Islander	2

Black
166 (44.5 %)
White
129 (34.6 %)
Hispanic
36 (9.7 %)
Two or More
31 (8.3 %)
Asian
7 (1.9 %)
American Indian
2 (0.5 %)
Pacific Islander
2 (0.5 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	South Orange-Maplewood School District
Phone:	(973)378-5209
Website:	http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	373
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	46.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	8.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	84
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	12

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 50

Grade 1 61

Grade 2 59

Grade 3 74

Grade 4 72

Grade 5 51

Ungraded 6