Summary:
This analysis examines five middle schools (grades 6-8) within the economically challenged Alum Rock Union Elementary district in San Jose, where all schools serve a high percentage of students from low-income families and the district ranks in the bottom 14th percentile statewide.
Among these schools, Renaissance Academy stands out as the top performer, achieving the highest test scores in science and English while spending the least per student. William Sheppard Middle shows the most improvement and has the best student attendance rate. In contrast, Joseph George Middle faces significant challenges, with the lowest test scores, highest chronic absenteeism, and the weakest outcomes despite having the highest per-student spending.
The data reveals a district-wide struggle in mathematics, with all schools scoring well below the state average. There is a clear link between attendance and performance, as schools with better attendance like William Sheppard and Ocala Middle generally have stronger results. The promising practices at the higher-performing schools, particularly the Renaissance schools' strength in science, offer models that could be shared to help improve outcomes across the entire district.
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