Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 93638

This analysis examines 11 elementary schools in Madera, California (zip code 93638), serving grades K-6 (with two charters extending to 8th grade), all facing high poverty rates but showing varied academic results within the Madera Unified and local charter districts.

When comparing schools, Berenda Elementary and John J. Pershing Elementary are the top performers in the area based on state rankings, while Sierra Vista Elementary ranks lowest. Notable strengths include the exceptionally low chronic absenteeism at Sherman Thomas Charter and George Washington Elementary, the latter achieving this despite a very high poverty rate.

Key findings show that higher per-student spending does not guarantee better results, as seen with Liberty Charter. All schools perform below state averages, particularly in science, and most see a drop in math scores in upper grades. The analysis suggests that effective local practices in attendance and instruction, rather than funding alone, differentiate school performance in this community.