Summary:
This analysis covers the seven middle schools serving grades 6-8 (except Sequoia Middle which is 7-8 only) within the Fontana Unified School District, a group of schools where academic performance, on average, lags behind California state standards.
Wayne Ruble Middle stands out as the district's top performer, with the highest test scores and the only 3-star rating, while also having the lowest rate of chronic student absenteeism. In contrast, Fontana Middle faces the steepest challenges, with the lowest rankings and proficiency rates. Southridge Technical Middle is another notable school, achieving strong science scores and the second-highest English scores despite a relatively high economic need among its students.
Key takeaways for parents include that chronic absenteeism is a significant issue district-wide, with only Wayne Ruble below the state average. Mathematics is the weakest subject across all schools, with none reaching the state average proficiency. While higher per-student spending at Wayne Ruble appears connected to its success, the relationship is not direct, as other schools with similar spending have lower outcomes, indicating how resources are used is critical. The data suggests that practices from higher-performing schools could help address systemic challenges in attendance and math instruction across Fontana Unified.
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