Summary:
Chester, California is served by two public schools within the Plumas Unified district: Chester Elementary (grades K-6) and Chester Junior/Senior High (grades 7-12), which together enroll about 295 students in a rural community.
When comparing the two schools, Chester Elementary stands out for its stronger academic performance, with test scores in English and math that meet or exceed state averages, and it has shown steady improvement in its statewide ranking. In contrast, Chester Junior/Senior High has much lower test scores but achieves a notably high graduation rate of 91.3%, which is above both the district and state averages. A significant concern is the jump in chronic absenteeism, which is 16.1% at the elementary level but rises sharply to 33.8% at the junior/senior high school.
Both schools face the context of a Plumas Unified district that ranks in the lower quarter statewide. The high school's statewide ranking also dropped significantly recently, which may indicate a need for attention. Parents should note the elementary school's academic strengths and the high school's success in graduating students, while being aware of the attendance and performance challenges that emerge in the older grades.
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