Summary:
The Westwood Unified district in California consists of two schools, Fletcher Walker Elementary (grades K-8) and Westwood High (grades 9-12), serving 182 students total from a single campus location.
While both schools face significant academic challenges, with test scores below state averages, their recent trajectories differ notably. Fletcher Walker Elementary has shown marked improvement in its statewide ranking over the past two years, with some grade levels, like 3rd grade math, performing close to the state average. In contrast, Westwood High has experienced a severe decline in ranking and struggles with critical outcomes, including a very low graduation rate and a very high dropout rate, despite having a lower student-teacher ratio and significantly more funding per student than the elementary school.
Key challenges across the district include high rates of chronic absenteeism, which affects about one-third of students, and particularly low proficiency in science. Parents should note the sharp drop in 8th-grade math performance at Fletcher Walker Elementary, indicating a difficult transition to higher-level math. The district's performance lags behind state averages, suggesting families should closely examine how each school addresses these persistent academic and attendance issues.
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