Summary:
This analysis examines 10 elementary schools serving grades K-6 in Santa Ana, California (zip code 92705), which span three different school districts: Santa Ana Unified, Tustin Unified, and Orange Unified.
There is a significant performance gap between districts, with schools in Tustin Unified generally outperforming others. Standout schools include Tustin Memorial Elementary, ranking in the 98th percentile statewide with exceptional test scores and very low chronic absenteeism, followed by Arroyo Elementary and Panorama Elementary. In contrast, schools like Sierra Preparatory Academy, John F. Kennedy Elementary, and Fairhaven Elementary rank in the bottom 30th percentile and have much lower test proficiency.
Key findings show that higher per-student spending, particularly in Santa Ana Unified, does not correlate with better academic results. Instead, factors like chronic absenteeism show a strong link to performance, with top schools having rates below 6% and struggling schools often above 20%. The percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch also correlates with school rankings, where schools with lower percentages tend to achieve higher academic performance.
Thank you for your feedback!