Summary:
Selma Unified School District serves seven elementary schools (grades K-6) in a high-need area, where all schools have very high rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic challenges across the community.
Among these schools, James Garfield Elementary stands out as a top performer, ranking in the 75th percentile of all California elementary schools with strong test scores in English, math, and science, and the district's lowest rate of chronic student absenteeism. In contrast, Terry Elementary faces severe challenges, ranking in the bottom 4% of the state with critically low proficiency rates, particularly in math. The other five schools, including Andrew Jackson Elementary and Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, generally perform below state averages but show pockets of strength in specific subjects or grades.
The wide variation in performance between schools with similar student demographics suggests that factors like teaching quality, school leadership, and specific programs play a major role in student success within Selma Unified. While the district as a whole is ranked in the lower quarter statewide, the success of James Garfield demonstrates that high achievement is possible in this community, offering a potential model for improvement at other schools.
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