When a small Trenton independent school serving mostly Black and Brown students from single-parent households posts reading scores that more than double the state average, that is a story worth examining closely. Christina Seix Academy (CSA) has released data showing its students are performing at levels that put many wealthier districts to shame — and Interim Head of School Ivy Green says the secret ingredient is community.
Green, who stepped into the top role in August after serving as Senior Director of Academic Programs, credits the school’s tight-knit residential model for driving results that go well beyond test scores. “Our students’ strong results demonstrate that CSA’s innovative approaches to teaching pre-K to 8th grade students are working both academically and developmentally,” she said.
Test Scores Are Significantly Above NJ and National Averages; So Is Sense of Belonging, Green Says
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The data is striking. On the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests, CSA’s primary literacy benchmark, roughly 70% of students in grades 1 through 8 are reading at or above grade level this school year. For context, the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data from 2024 shows that only 38% of 4th and 8th graders in New Jersey meet that bar. Nationwide, the figure drops to 31% for 4th graders and 30% for 8th graders.
In mathematics, CSA students in grades 1 through 8 scored at the 60th percentile on the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment during the Fall 2026 testing period, surpassing the national benchmark of the 50th percentile.
Green argues that these numbers are not an accident. The school, which educates more than 200 students annually, intentionally prioritizes both academic rigor and what she calls a “sense of belonging and connectivity.” Small class sizes, frequent benchmark testing, family engagement, mentoring, and attention to health and wellness all play a role, she explained. “This is a pivotal time for CSA,” Green said. “We are looking to increase our impact, diversify and broaden our donor base, and replicate our innovative programs as models to help other educational institutions succeed.”
The proof of the school’s approach extends beyond standardized tests. Since CSA’s first class graduated in 2021, all 118 alumni have been accepted with full or partial scholarships to private, independent high schools. Of the graduates from the classes of 2021 and 2022, 96% are now enrolled in four-year colleges and universities.
Green herself is a product of Trenton. She was born in the city, attended its public schools, and later taught in them before helping found CSA in 2012. “Opportunity does not have to be linked to finances,” she said, recalling how her parents prioritized access and enrichment despite limited financial resources. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Morgan State University and a Master of Education from Rider University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Executive Leadership at Columbia University.
Green succeeded Rob Connor, Ph.D., who co-founded CSA and served as Head of School since it opened in 2012. Connor has moved into the role of Chair of the CSA Board of Trustees, while also becoming president and CEO of the SEED Foundation on October 1. “Ms. Green’s Trenton roots and vital contributions over the years to CSA’s academic success make her the ideal person to lead this transition,” Connor said.
The school’s board has launched a national search for a permanent Head of School, with a decision expected next winter. Green is among the candidates being considered.
Christina Seix Dow, a Wall Street executive, founded the Academy in 2012 with the goal of radically improving educational outcomes for students from marginalized communities impacted by systemic racism and poverty. The school operates on a 12-month calendar and offers extracurricular programs in athletics, instrumental instruction, and dance.
Why it matters: Christina Seix Academy’s results offer a data-backed counterargument to the notion that socioeconomic background determines academic potential. If the school can replicate its model — as Green says it intends to — it could provide a blueprint for other institutions seeking to close persistent achievement gaps in communities across the country.
Learn more at https://www.christinaseixacademy.org/ and read the latest story for an in-depth look at how CSA is using analytics as part of a holistic approach to support student growth here.
Becky Taylor
Christina Seix Academy
+1 609-240-6886
commconsultant@christinaseixacademy.org
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