Summary:
This analysis covers eight elementary schools (grades K-5 to K-8) within the Morgan Hill Unified School District, revealing a district with sharply divided performance between its specialized academies and its more traditional neighborhood schools.
The top-performing schools are thematic academies: Jackson Academy of Music and Math (JAMM) leads in most subjects, Paradise Valley Engineering Academy excels in math, and Nordstrom Elementary has the best attendance. In contrast, San Martin Gwinn Environmental Science Academy, Barrett Elementary, and P. A. Walsh STEAM Academy face significant challenges, ranking in the state's bottom 25% with much lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism.
Key findings show that higher per-student spending at the struggling schools does not translate to higher performance, highlighting complex challenges. Schools like El Toro Health Science Academy and Los Paseos Elementary have seen recent ranking declines, indicating performance can shift. Overall, the district is polarized, with a clear gap between its highest and lowest-achieving schools.
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