Summary:
This analysis examines four middle schools (grades 7-8) within the Modesto City Elementary district in California, all serving a high-needs student population where 75% to 94% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Among these schools, Roosevelt Junior High stands out as the top performer, achieving the highest test scores in English, math, and science and holding the best statewide ranking, which has been consistently improving. In contrast, Mark Twain Junior High faces the greatest challenges, with the lowest proficiency rates and ranking, despite having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate. La Loma Junior High and Evelyn Hanshaw Middle fall in between, with La Loma ranking second in performance.
While Roosevelt has the highest per-student spending, the connection between resources and results is complex, as La Loma achieves solid outcomes with the lowest spending in the group. A notable finding is that all four schools perform below California state averages across all subjects, with the largest gap in science. The district spends well above the state average per student, suggesting a focus on understanding and replicating the effective practices at the higher-performing schools could help improve outcomes across the board.
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