Summary:
The Union Elementary district in San Jose and Los Gatos is a highly-rated system of eight schools—six elementary (K-5) and two middle (6-8)—serving over 5,200 students and ranking in the state's top 5%.
Overall, the district performs exceptionally well, with student test scores far exceeding state averages, especially in mathematics. However, there are notable differences between schools. Union Middle is the standout, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with very high test scores and low chronic absenteeism. In contrast, Dartmouth Middle, while still strong, has lower scores and higher absenteeism. Among elementary schools, Alta Vista Elementary and Oster Elementary are top performers, while Lietz Elementary faces the most significant challenges with the district's lowest test scores and highest chronic absenteeism rate.
Key findings show a clear link between lower chronic absenteeism and stronger academic performance across all schools. Interestingly, higher per-student spending does not automatically mean better results, as seen at Lietz, which has the highest spending but the lowest scores. The district's main opportunity is to understand and address the performance gap between its two middle schools and to share successful strategies from its highest-achieving schools across the entire district.
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