Summary:
This analysis examines two public high schools serving grades 6-12 in Oakland's 94603 zip code: Madison Park Academy 6-12 in the Oakland Unified district and Aspire Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy, a charter school in its own district.
Academically, Aspire Lionel Wilson is the higher-performing school, ranking in the 51st percentile statewide compared to Madison Park Academy's 21st percentile, with notably stronger test scores in English, math, and science. However, Madison Park excels in graduation rates at 87.4%, surpassing its district average. A significant concern for Madison Park is a chronic absenteeism rate of 52.6%, which is very high despite the strong graduation outcomes.
An interesting finding is the difference in resources and outcomes. Madison Park Academy spends more per student and has a much lower student-teacher ratio than Aspire Lionel Wilson, yet has lower academic performance. Both schools serve predominantly low-income families and face major challenges in mathematics, with proficiency rates far below state averages. Parents should note that both schools have seen declining statewide rankings over the past three years.
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