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.
See a full summary memo of results here
Overview of Strategic insights
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.