Smythe Academy of Arts and Sciences

Smythe Academy of Arts and Sciences is a K-8 public school in Sacramento serving about 1,100 students, operating within the Twin Rivers Unified school district and showing steady improvement over the past decade.

Academically, the school performs close to the district average but below the state average in core subjects, though it has particular strengths in supporting English Language Learners and students from low-income families. A standout achievement is the dramatic reduction in chronic absenteeism, which at 19.8% is now on par with the state average and significantly better than most nearby schools, including Hazel Strauch Elementary and Las Palmas Elementary. However, performance varies widely by grade, with middle school grades sometimes outperforming elementary ones, and the school has recently faced significant challenges in serving its Special Education students.

Compared to other local schools, Smythe generally outperforms most in its own district and those in the neighboring Natomas Unified district, such as American Lakes and Bannon Creek. The notable exception is Hazel Strauch Elementary, which achieves higher test scores despite having fewer resources per student and higher absenteeism, suggesting factors like teaching methods or school culture play a key role in student success.