Summary:
This analysis examines four traditional high schools (grades 9-12) within the Hayward Unified school district, which ranks in the bottom 18th percentile statewide, revealing significant variation in performance and resources among them.
Mt. Eden High stands out as the top performer, with the highest graduation rate (87.5%), strongest English proficiency (61.61%), and lowest chronic absenteeism (25.8%). Hayward High shows promising improvement, moving to a 3-star rating, and leads in science proficiency. In contrast, Brenkwitz High faces severe challenges, with proficiency rates below 5% in core subjects and an absenteeism rate of 68.8%, despite having the highest per-student spending and smallest class sizes. Tennyson High has the district's lowest graduation rate (67.7%) and highest dropout rate (19.5%).
Key takeaways for parents include noting that higher spending does not guarantee better results, as seen at Brenkwitz, and that chronic absenteeism is a major issue across all schools, exceeding the state average. Mathematics is a district-wide weakness, with no school reaching 21% proficiency. The data suggests that while the district faces challenges, individual school environments and programs differ greatly, making it important to look beyond district averages to specific school performance and culture.
Thank you for your feedback!