Summary:
Paradise Unified School District contains one middle school, Paradise Junior High, serving about 200 students in grades 7 and 8 in a community still recovering from the 2018 Camp Fire.
This school has shown remarkable improvement recently, jumping from a 1-star to a 2-star rating and moving its statewide ranking from the bottom 20th percentile to the 40th percentile in just one year. While its academic performance in English and math is generally on par with the Paradise Unified district average, it still trails behind California state averages. A notable strength is its 8th grade English scores, which are close to the state average, though science proficiency is an area for growth across both grades.
Key challenges include a chronic absenteeism rate of 36.5%, which is significantly higher than both district and state averages and is a major concern for student success. The school benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio than the state average and higher per-student spending, serving a student population where over 70% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. For parents, the data indicates a school that is making clear academic progress but where improving daily attendance is likely crucial for helping students reach their full potential.
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