Camden Parents Say It is Important for the New Superintendent to Listen to Local Families, Support ALL Student Learning Styles, and Support School Choice
Background: Camden Education Fund commissioned Embold Research to survey 316 adult residents of Camden, NJ from June 13-July 24, 2025 to gain a deeper understanding of the qualities and experiences residents want in their next school superintendent, and to gauge their perceptions of Camden’s schools and preferred focus areas for the school district. The research highlights the views of two core audiences: parents with children who attend school in Camden, and other adult residents of the city.
Camden parents and residents agree that it is most important to have a new superintendent who values ALL of the district’s students, and who is committed to working closely with the community.
The majority of parents with children in Camden schools (54%) and half of non-parents (50%) say it is a top priority to choose a superintendent who cares deeply about giving all students a great education. This quality was highlighted more often than any other by both groups. Camden residents also especially want the new superintendent to be good at listening to and working with parents, teachers, and the community.
94% of parents say it is important (somewhat, very, or extremely) for the new superintendent to support giving families choices between different types of schools.
Large majorities also say it is extremely or very important for the new superintendent to come from a background similar to those of Camden’s students (69% of parents and 73% of non-parents), to have previous experience working in a school district similar to Camden’s (78% of parents and 77% of non-parents).
To succeed in the areas residents identify as first year priorities, the new superintendent must both be focused on individual student needs and be a skilled manager of staff and finances.
Almost half of parents – 48% – say that giving students learning opportunities that fit their individual needs should be a top priority, and nearly as many – 43% – want the superintendent to focus on understanding and responding to the needs of all different types of students.
43% also place a priority on making good choices for the district’s finances now and in the future.
More than 6 in 10 parents are very (28%) or somewhat (34%) confident that Camden’s schools are preparing students to succeed in college or a career, and on net, parents say schools have gotten better over the past 10 years (40% better vs. 30% worse).
Parents, who interact with schools the most, are more likely to believe that the quality of education is good or excellent, to say that things are improving, and to say that all types of families have equal access to quality schools; whereas non-parents have mixed impressions.
Most parents report that it was reasonably easy to find the right school(s) for their child(ren), and a majority (58%) are quite satisfied with their children’s schools.
Many residents are unfamiliar with some of Camden’s innovative campuses and school types, and this may be a source of these unbalanced perceptions.
Residents identify inadequate resources at school and challenges at home as top reasons why some students may not get a great public education in Camden.
Over the next 5 years, residents have specific areas in which they want the district to improve. Both parents and non-parents agree on the need for improvements in teacher quality, access to counselors and mental health resources, and preparing students for life after high school, whether in a career or higher education.
Other important areas include after-school programs and school safety. Sharing data on student performance and enrollment metrics is seen as crucial to informing families and the community about progress in these efforts.
Visits to Teachers’ Classrooms to Present $5,000 Awards
MEDIA ADVISORY MAY 8, 2025 Contact: Mike Neilon, (610) 613-2664, mneilon@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
Camden Education Fund (CEF) plans to celebrate this year’s recipients of the 2024 RISE Teaching Award, a citywide distinction honoring three outstanding teachers across Camden’s district, charter and renaissance schools, with surprise visits to the winners’ classrooms on Friday, May 10.
The three winning recipients will each receive a $5,000 prize, a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Camden, a congratulatory video, and a surprise classroom visit from Mayor Victor Carstarphen, Superintendent Katrina McCombs and Camden Education Fund Executive Director, Giana Campbell notifying them of their selection.
Selection for the 2024 RISE Award began in November, when Camden Education Fund sought nominations from school principals across the city. Principals nominated teachers, who were then invited to complete applications, including reflections on their teaching practices and recommendations from colleagues, students, or families. An independent committee of veteran educators reviewed all RISE applications and selected the finalists. The committee then observed lessons and reviewed teachers’ lesson reflections to evaluate each finalist.
This is the fourth year of the RISE Award. Both this year’s and previous winning teachers represent the diversity of education offerings in the city. They include elementary, middle, and high school teachers; district, charter, and renaissance teachers; general education, special education, and bilingual/ESL teachers.
WHO:
Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden Katrina McCombs, Superintendent, Camden City School District Giana Campbell, Executive Director, Camden Education Fund
2024 RISE Teacher Award Winners
Jaconda Wynn, pre-K teacher, R.T. Cream Family School
Sandra Dominguez, elementary ESL/bilingual teacher, Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School
Randolph Smith, high school science teacher, LEAP Academy High School
WHEN:
Friday, May 10 9:00 – 10:45 a.m.
9:00 – 9:25 a.m. @ R.T. Cream Family School 9:40 – 10:05 a.m. @ Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School 10:20 – 10:45 a.m. @ LEAP Academy High School
NOTE: Media Should Meet School Officials in the Lobby of the Schools at 9:00 or 9:40 or 10:20, Respectively, to Ensure Surprise Element
WHERE:
R.T. Cream Family School @ 9:00 a.m. 1875 Mulford Street, Camden, NJ
Mastery Molina Lower Elementary School @ 9:40 a.m. 415 N. 9 th Street, Camden, NJ
LEAP Academy High School @ 10:20 a.m. 130 N. Broadway, Camden, NJ
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.
MEDIA ADVISORY July 31, 2025 Contact: Mike Neilon, (610) 613-2664, mneilon@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
Camden Education Fund will present a check of $475,000 to local nonprofits through its Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) competitive grant program on Wednesday, July 30 at 3:30 p.m. Now in its fifth year, the YSO program provides operational and program funding to Camden-led nonprofit organizations serving youth aged 3-18.
The receiving organizations offer a wide range of supports to students including mentoring, mental health supports, opportunities in the arts, career exposure, and summer enrichment.
“We’re excited to once again provide much needed support for youth organizations that create vital opportunities for Camden students,” said Giana Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Camden Education Fund. “This year, we’ve focused our largest grants on Social-Emotional Learning, Mental Health, and academic recovery, empowering students to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.”
WHAT:
Announcement of $475,000 gift to local nonprofits in Camden
WHO:
Giana Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Camden Education Fund Leaders from up to 28 local Camden nonprofit organizations ***INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES***
WHEN:
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Speaking Program and Oversized Check Presentation: 3:45 – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Buff Hall: Brotherhood of United Firefighters, Inc. 871 Princess Ave Camden, NJ 08103
A full list of grantees is below.
$40,000 grants:
B.O.S.S. Mentoring
Camden Dream Center/Koinonia Family Life
Movimiento Tricolor
$20,000 grants:
Camden Rep
Daelight Foundation
First Timers Society
Free All Minds Academy
I Dare to Care
Pasha Arts
Rising Leaders Global
Social Responsibility Through Me
Symphony in C
The Neighborhood Center
Camden
WHYY
Women of the Dream
$10,000 grants:
A Hand to Hold
Camden Bible Tabernacle
CAUSE
Centerville Youth Athletic Association
Minority Allied Lenders
Raise the Bar
Wholesome Riches
$5,000 grants:
Adolescent Achievers
Center for Environmental Transformation
LUCY Outreach
McCoys Stop the Hunger Food and Mobile Pantry
Mighty Writers
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.
Rutgers University-Camden Hosts Celebration of Camden’s Graduating Seniors
MEDIA ADVISORY APRIL 30, 2025 Contact: Jeff Jubelirer, (215) 840-8390, jjubelirer@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
Camden’s fourth annual “College Signing Day,” spearheaded by Camden Education Fund, will honor and celebrate all Camden City district, charter, and renaissance high school seniors who have committed to attending a college, university, trade or technical program, or the military.
“College Signing Day has become an annual tradition to showcase the amazing talents and promising futures of our Camden students. Success after high school can include a number of paths, and we are proud to support our students as they prepare to take the next steps in their journeys,” said Giana Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Camden Education Fund.
College Signing Day is part of Reach Higher, an initiative started in 2014 by former First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage and activate educators, counselors, and other adults to help first-generation and low-income students see college as an option.
“The Rutgers-Camden community is delighted to be a part of college signing day and to host this important event for the first time,” shared Dr. Nyeema C. Watson, Rutgers University-Camden Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategy, Diversity and Community Engagement. “As an anchor institution in the eds and meds community in Camden, commitment to community is at the heart of our mission, and we are thrilled to support local students on their pathway to a college degree and the many opportunities that await them.”
“As a proud graduate of Camden High School, I find great fulfillment watching the next generation of students graduate from our schools, and am excited to celebrate their commitment to a successful future,” said Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden.
Holding the event for the first time at the Rutgers University – Camden Campus will add excitement for the occasion, with the program taking place in the Athletic and Fitness Center (gymnasium) followed by lunch and more activities happening on the Rutgers Athletic Complex field. With an expected attendance of over 600 post-secondary-bound students, the atmosphere will be charged with excitement and mirror a pep rally, including student performances, recognition of attending high schools and post-secondary institutions, scholarships, and more. To learn more about College Signing Day or Camden Education Fund see here.
WHO:
Victor Carstarphen, Mayor, City of Camden Katrina McCombs, Superintendent, Camden City School District Giana Campbell, Executive Director, Camden Education Fund Dr. Nyeema C. Watson, Senior Vice Chancellor, Rutgers University-Camden Class of 2025 Student Speaker
WHEN:
Date: Friday, May 2, 2025 Event Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Formal program is expected to run from 10:15 am – 12:15 p.m.)
WHERE:
Rutgers University – Camden Athletic and Fitness Center (Gymnasium) 301 Linden St Camden, NJ 08102
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.
