Summary:
This analysis examines nine elementary schools serving grades K-6 (except for Osborn Two-Way Immersion Academy which is K-5) within the Turlock Unified school district, revealing significant variation in performance and resources across the area.
Walnut Elementary Education Center stands out as the district's top performer, with test scores well above state averages and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at just 4.0%, all while having the lowest per-student spending. In contrast, Cunningham Elementary faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest academic rankings and the highest chronic absenteeism. Schools like Sandra Tovar Medeiros Elementary show consistent mid-tier performance, offering solid academics above the district average.
Overall, the Turlock Unified district lags behind state averages, particularly in mathematics. A notable pattern is a sharp drop in 5th-grade math scores at several schools. While higher per-student spending does not correlate with better results, stronger attendance and lower rates of economic need are consistently associated with higher academic achievement across the district's elementary schools.
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