Summary:
This analysis covers five public schools within the Palo Verde Unified district in Blythe, CA (zip code 92225), including three K-8 elementary schools and two high schools serving approximately 2,610 students in a high-need community.
Among these schools, Palo Verde High stands out with the strongest outcomes, including a 93.3% graduation rate that exceeds state averages, the lowest dropout rate, and the highest test scores locally, showing notable improvement in its statewide ranking. The three elementary schools—Felix J. Appleby Elementary, Ruth Brown Elementary, and Margaret White Elementary—perform very similarly, all ranking in the bottom 7th percentile statewide with test scores significantly below California averages. Twin Palms Continuation, an alternative high school, faces the most severe challenges, with very high chronic absenteeism, lower graduation rates, and the lowest test proficiency, despite receiving the highest per-student funding.
Key takeaways for parents include that all schools in the district face significant academic challenges, with test scores well below state norms, though Palo Verde High demonstrates strength in keeping students on track to graduate. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern across all schools, especially at the continuation school. The consistent low performance across the elementary schools suggests district-wide factors are at play, and early math education appears to be a particular area of need, as scores decline sharply after 3rd grade.
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