Summary:
The Los Banos Unified district serves around 10,000 students across 16 schools in a community with significant economic need, where 71% to 95% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the district overall ranks in the bottom quarter of California districts.
Performance varies widely between schools, with Grasslands Elementary and Pacheco High standing out as the top performers, both earning 3-star ratings and scoring above the 50th percentile statewide, while San Luis High (Continuation) and several elementary schools like R. M. Miano Elementary rank in the bottom 10% and face major challenges with low test scores and, in some cases, very high chronic absenteeism.
Key takeaways include a notable paradox where high schools achieve graduation rates over 97%—far exceeding the state average—despite below-average test scores, and a concerning drop in math proficiency, especially in 5th grade and middle school, where both Los Banos Junior High and Creekside Junior High struggle. Schools with lower chronic absenteeism, such as Charleston Elementary, generally perform better academically.
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