Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools serving grades K-5 in Pasadena's 91104 zip code, all part of the Pasadena Unified district, which reveal significant performance differences despite serving similar high-need student populations.
Longfellow (Henry W.) Elementary stands out as the highest-performing school in the area, ranking in the 56th percentile statewide with the strongest test scores in English, math, and science, and the lowest rate of chronic student absences. In contrast, Madison Elementary faces considerable challenges, ranking in only the 9th percentile with the lowest test scores and the highest chronic absenteeism rate. Webster Elementary sits in the middle academically but has the most favorable student-teacher ratio and the highest per-student spending.
Key takeaways for parents include noting the strong correlation between lower absenteeism and higher academic performance, as seen at Longfellow. It's also important to recognize that higher spending and smaller class sizes, as at Webster, do not automatically guarantee better academic outcomes compared to Longfellow. The dramatic performance gap between these neighboring schools, which all serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, suggests that factors like school leadership, teaching methods, and community support likely play a critical role in student success.
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