Summary:
This analysis covers two public middle schools (grades 6-8) located in Santa Ana, California, within zip code 92707, both operated by the Santa Ana Unified school district.
Among these schools, Douglas MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate stands out as a higher-performing option, consistently earning a 3-star rating and achieving test scores in English and Math that meet or approach state averages, which is notable given the district's overall low ranking. In contrast, Julia C. Lathrop Intermediate has struggled academically, with proficiency rates significantly below both district and state averages across all subjects.
A key finding is the strong correlation between attendance and performance: Douglas MacArthur has a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.7%, while Julia C. Lathrop's rate is more than double that at 20.1%. Interestingly, the higher-performing school operates with larger class sizes and lower per-student spending, suggesting factors beyond resources, such as school culture or specialized programs like the "Fundamental" model, significantly influence student outcomes. For parents, this highlights the importance of looking at specific school performance and culture, even within the same district.
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