Folsom-Cordova Unified

The Folsom-Cordova Unified district serves over 17,000 students across 35 schools in Folsom and Rancho Cordova, California, spanning elementary, middle, and high schools, and presents a story of stark contrasts where high-performing and struggling schools exist side-by-side.

Top-tier schools like Vista del Lago High and Folsom High boast graduation rates near 99% and test scores well above state averages, while Mills Middle and Cordova Meadows Elementary face significant academic challenges. A clear standout is Riverview STEM Elementary, which ranks in the 99th percentile statewide and defies geographic trends with its exceptional performance. The district's alternative schools, such as Kinney High (Continuation), receive much higher funding per student but grapple with very low graduation and high absenteeism rates.

Overall, the district outperforms state averages in graduation and test scores, but this masks a deep divide often correlated with socioeconomic factors, creating two different educational experiences within the same district boundaries. Chronic absenteeism is a key differentiator, with rates ranging from under 2% at the best schools to over 80% at the most challenged, highlighting a critical area for district-wide focus.