San Jose Unified

The San Jose Unified school district in California encompasses 42 schools, including 27 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 8 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district exhibits a wide range of academic performance, with some schools ranking among the best in the state and others struggling significantly.

At the top of the district's schools is Leland High School, which ranks 40th out of 2,335 California high schools and earns a 5-star rating. Leland boasts exceptional test scores, with 85.16% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 78.27% proficient or better in Mathematics. Another standout is Bret Harte Middle School, which ranks 106th out of 2,788 California middle schools and also earns a 5-star rating. The district's elementary schools also have some high performers, such as Williams Elementary, which ranks 129th out of 5,848 California elementary schools, and Graystone Elementary, which ranks 155th.

However, the district also has several struggling schools, particularly in its high schools. Broadway High has a low 4-year graduation rate of 69% and a high dropout rate of 30.1%, while San Jose High also lags behind. At the elementary level, schools like Gardner Elementary and Selma Olinder Elementary struggle with single-digit proficiency rates in many subjects and grade levels. The data suggests a clear correlation between higher poverty levels, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, and lower academic performance across the district.