Summary:
Willows Unified School District has one elementary school, Murdock Elementary, serving about 490 students in kindergarten through 4th grade in this Willows Unified community.
Parents should know that while Murdock Elementary faces significant academic challenges, with proficiency rates in English and math well below state averages, it demonstrates a notable strength in student attendance. The school's chronic absenteeism rate is substantially better than both the district and state averages, suggesting a positive school environment that encourages students to show up. The school serves a community with high economic need, with nearly three-quarters of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
Financially, the district invests heavily in its students, with per-pupil spending exceeding $28,000. However, this investment has not yet translated into strong academic outcomes, as the school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of California elementary schools. For families, this means the school is working to support its students' basic needs and attendance effectively, but major improvements in core academic instruction are needed to help students reach grade-level standards compared to peers across the state.
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