Summary:
The Selma Unified School District serves approximately 5,171 students across 12 schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade, in a community where the vast majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Among the district's elementary schools, James Garfield Elementary stands out as a top performer with academic proficiency rates well above both the district and state averages, while Terry Elementary shows significantly lower proficiency and is identified as needing support. The district's main high school, Selma High, boasts an excellent 98.2% graduation rate, though its academic proficiency scores are more mixed, and the alternative high schools like Heartland High (Continuation) and Selma Independent face challenges with very high chronic absenteeism and dropout rates.
Overall, the Selma Unified district trails state averages in English, Math, and Science proficiency, but the exceptional success of James Garfield Elementary demonstrates that strong outcomes are achievable within the community. Parents should note the wide variation in performance and environment between schools, from the promising science scores at Andrew Jackson Elementary to the severe attendance issues at the alternative high schools, highlighting the importance of evaluating each school's specific programs and results.
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