Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools (grades K-6) within the Glendale Unified district in zip code 91201, revealing significant performance differences despite shared district resources and similar grade levels.
Benjamin Franklin Elementary stands out as a top-tier school, ranking in the 93rd percentile statewide with exceptional test scores that far exceed both district and state averages in English, math, and science. It also boasts a very low chronic absenteeism rate of 5.4%. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Balboa Elementary show more moderate performance, with proficiency rates near state averages but below the district, and they have higher rates of economic disadvantage and chronic absenteeism, particularly at Balboa which has a 21.4% absenteeism rate.
Key insights show a strong link between attendance and achievement, and that per-student spending is actually slightly higher at the lower-performing schools, indicating funding alone doesn't guarantee outcomes. Benjamin Franklin demonstrates remarkable consistency across all grade levels, while the other schools show more volatility, especially in middle grades. For parents, this area offers a clear high-performing option in Benjamin Franklin, while the other schools perform closer to the California state average.
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