Summary:
The Apple Valley Unified school district serves approximately 12,000 students across 14 schools, including 11 elementary schools (several serving K-8), two comprehensive high schools, a virtual academy, and an alternative school, in a community with significant economic need.
While the district faces academic challenges, with proficiency rates in English and math below state averages, there are standout schools. Apple Valley High and Granite Hills High excel at keeping students on track, boasting graduation rates above 92% that exceed the state average. Among elementary schools, Vanguard Preparatory and Sitting Bull Academy show stronger academic performance. In contrast, schools like Phoenix Academy, Sandia Academy, and Rancho Verde Elementary have very low statewide rankings and proficiency rates.
A key concern across the district is chronic absenteeism, which at 29.2% is much higher than the state average, particularly at High Desert Premier Academy and the Apple Valley Virtual Academy. Mathematics is the biggest academic hurdle, with district proficiency less than half the state average. The data shows that higher per-student spending does not automatically lead to better results, and academic performance, especially in math, tends to decline in the higher elementary grades.
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