Summary:
The Manzanita Middle District in Richmond, California, consists of a single school, Manzanita Middle, which serves grades 6 through 8 with a total enrollment of 92 students.
Manzanita Middle faces significant academic challenges, with student proficiency rates in English, math, and science all well below California state averages. The school's performance has been volatile in recent years, fluctuating from the 9th to the 36th percentile in statewide rankings. A major concern is the chronic absenteeism rate of 41.5%, which is more than double the state average and likely contributes to the academic struggles. The school community also contends with a high poverty indicator, as 86% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Despite these challenges, the school invests considerable resources, spending over $20,700 per student. Analysis shows that student performance in both English and math improves from 6th to 8th grade, though it remains below state benchmarks. The combination of high need, inconsistent performance, and substantial per-student investment suggests that addressing the underlying issues, particularly chronic absenteeism, is critical for improving outcomes at Manzanita Middle.
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