Summary:
The Sylvan Union Elementary district in Modesto, California, serves 13 schools—10 elementary (K-5) and 3 middle schools (6-8)—and is ranked in the 45th percentile statewide, reflecting a district with significant internal diversity in performance and challenges.
Among the standout schools, Mary Ann Sanders Elementary leads academically with the district’s highest Math proficiency (51.24%) and strong Science scores, while Elizabeth Ustach Middle is the only school to earn a 4-star rating, boasting top middle-school Math (43.77%) and an exceptional 8th-grade Math score of 51.83%. Daniel J. Savage Middle is a consistent performer with the district’s highest ELA proficiency (49.89%). In contrast, Coleman F. Brown Elementary faces the most critical challenges, with the lowest ELA (22.89%) and Math (19.88%) scores, and a 4th-grade Math proficiency of just 6.78%. Sylvan Elementary and Woodrow Elementary also struggle, with Woodrow having the highest free/reduced lunch rate (84.86%) and the lowest Science scores (18.75%).
Key insights reveal that higher per-student spending does not guarantee success—the lowest-performing schools, Coleman F. Brown ($28,901) and Sylvan ($25,139), spend the most, while top performer Mary Ann Sanders spends a moderate $21,782. Chronic absenteeism is a critical indicator, with Coleman F. Brown’s 22.9% rate correlating with its low scores, while Crossroads Elementary has the lowest absenteeism (8.5%) and exceeds state averages in Math and Science. The district’s middle schools show a stark contrast: Elizabeth Ustach excels, Daniel J. Savage is solid, but Somerset Middle struggles with the highest absenteeism (21.3%) and lowest test scores. Overall, socioeconomic factors and attendance are stronger predictors of academic outcomes than funding levels.
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