Summary:
This analysis covers the two public middle schools (grades 6-8) located in the 91367 zip code of Woodland Hills, California, both operated by the Los Angeles Unified school district.
Families in this area will find a significant difference in school performance. George Ellery Hale Charter Academy stands out as a high-performing school, consistently ranking in the top 20% of all California schools and achieving test scores well above both district and state averages in English, math, and science. In contrast, Woodland Hills Academy faces considerable challenges, with academic proficiency rates below these benchmarks and a state ranking in the lower third of schools.
The data reveals some counterintuitive insights: despite spending about $6,000 more per student and having smaller class sizes, Woodland Hills Academy's outcomes are lower. A key differentiator is chronic absenteeism, which is nearly twice as high at Woodland Hills Academy (31.6%) compared to George Ellery Hale (16.9%). This comparison highlights that within the same neighborhood, school quality can vary dramatically, and factors like school culture, instructional consistency, and student engagement are critical components of success beyond funding alone.
Thank you for your feedback!