Summary:
This analysis examines two middle schools (grades 6-8) located in zip code 95118 in San Jose, CA, revealing a notable contrast in performance and student population within the same local area.
Dartmouth Middle stands out as the higher-performing school, consistently ranking in the top 10% of California middle schools and achieving test scores well above state averages, particularly in math and science. It benefits from being part of the highly-ranked Union Elementary district and maintains a very low chronic absenteeism rate of 9.4%. In comparison, John Muir Middle shows more moderate performance, ranking near the state average, and faces the challenge of a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate of 25.1%, which correlates with its lower test scores.
An interesting finding is the performance-spending paradox: John Muir Middle receives about $5,000 more per student than Dartmouth Middle yet has lower academic outcomes, highlighting the complex challenges of resource allocation. Both schools show similar patterns where student performance in math tends to dip in 8th grade. For parents, this comparison underscores the importance of considering both district context and school-level factors like attendance, as Dartmouth's strong district support and excellent attendance culture are associated with its top-tier student achievement.
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