Summary:
This analysis examines three middle schools serving grades 6-8 in the 92346 zip code of Highland, CA, revealing significant differences in performance and environment despite their geographic proximity.
Beattie Middle stands out as the top performer, achieving the highest test scores and statewide ranking (61st percentile) while maintaining the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 16.2%. It operates within the higher-ranked Redlands Unified district. In contrast, Serrano Middle and New Vision Middle face greater challenges, with both schools having over 90% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and chronic absenteeism rates nearly double the state average, which correlates with their lower academic proficiency.
An interesting finding is that higher per-student spending does not equate to better results here; New Vision Middle spends the most per student but has the lowest scores, while Beattie spends the least but performs the best. This suggests factors beyond funding, like attendance, school culture, and district support, are critical. For parents, this highlights a clear performance gap among local options, with Beattie offering stronger academic outcomes and better student engagement, while the other two schools, particularly those in the San Bernardino City Unified and New Vision Middle District, are grappling with foundational issues like absenteeism that significantly impact learning.
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