Summary:
This analysis examines 13 public schools in the Los Angeles 90002 zip code, which include 8 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools, all serving a community with very high economic need.
Most schools in the area face significant challenges, with academic proficiency generally below state averages and high rates of chronic student absenteeism. However, there are standout schools showing improvement. Jordan High made remarkable progress, now outperforming district and state averages in English, while Ninety-Ninth Street Elementary is the highest-ranked elementary school. Weigand Avenue Elementary has greatly improved and boasts the best attendance record. In contrast, schools like Edwin Markham Middle and KIPP Ignite Academy are ranked in the bottom 10% statewide and need urgent support.
The two charter schools, both part of the KIPP networks, currently perform worse than most traditional Los Angeles Unified schools here. A key finding is the strong link between attendance and achievement, as seen at Weigand Avenue. Furthermore, the data shows that very high per-student spending, as seen at Thomas Riley High, does not automatically lead to better outcomes when chronic absenteeism is catastrophic, highlighting a need to examine how resources are used effectively to support students.
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