Planz Elementary

Planz Elementary is a K-5 public school serving 610 students in the Greenfield Union School District in Bakersfield, operating in a high-need community where nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Academically, the school faces significant challenges, with proficiency rates in English, math, and science well below state averages and a statewide ranking in the 17th percentile. A particular area of concern is the school's performance with Special Education students, which ranks in the bottom 1% of schools statewide. The school also has a chronic absenteeism rate higher than both the district and state averages, though this rate has improved from its peak during the pandemic years. It's important to note that Planz was a higher-performing school several years ago, ranking in the 58th percentile in 2017-2018, indicating a notable decline over time.

Interesting comparisons exist with nearby schools, especially within the same district. For instance, W. A. Kendrick Elementary, located just over a mile away and serving a student population with very similar economic needs, achieves proficiency rates more than double those of Planz, demonstrating that strong outcomes are possible in the local context. The data also shows a significant performance gap between male and female students at Planz, with boys ranking notably lower. For families, the steep drop in fifth-grade math proficiency and the inconsistent results for different student groups from year to year are key points to consider.