Cleveland Elementary

Cleveland Elementary is a K-5 public school in the San Francisco Unified district, serving about 300 students in a neighborhood with many low-income families, and it faces significant academic challenges with proficiency rates far below state averages.

The school's academic performance is among the lowest in the state, ranking in the 4th percentile, with only about 15% of students proficient in English and 14% in math. A major concern is chronic absenteeism, with 38% of students missing too much school, which is nearly double the state average and closely linked to lower achievement. While the school spends over $25,000 per student, similar to other area schools, these resources have not translated into better outcomes, and performance varies widely between different grades and student groups.

Interestingly, several nearby schools with similar student demographics achieve much stronger results, showing that improvement is possible. For instance, Monroe Elementary, located just a third of a mile away and with a similar poverty rate, ranks in the 65th percentile with much lower absenteeism. This comparison suggests that targeted strategies, especially around improving attendance and ensuring consistent teaching quality, could be key pathways for Cleveland Elementary to better serve its students.