Summary:
This analysis examines two middle schools serving grades 7-8 in Santa Rosa's 95403 zip code, revealing significant differences in performance and environment between a traditional district school and a public charter school.
Piner-Olivet Charter stands out as the higher-performing school, with academic proficiency rates in English, math, and science that are two to three times higher than those at Hilliard Comstock Middle, and it maintains a much lower chronic absenteeism rate (13.6% vs. 33.4%). Interestingly, Piner-Olivet achieves these stronger outcomes while spending significantly less per student and operating with a higher student-teacher ratio than Hilliard Comstock. Both schools, however, serve a substantial population of economically disadvantaged students, with Hilliard Comstock having a higher percentage.
The performance gap is notable, as Hilliard Comstock, part of the Santa Rosa High district, has consistently ranked in the state's bottom 10 percent in recent years, while Piner-Olivet, in the Piner-Olivet Charter District, ranks near the state average. A key finding is the strong correlation between chronic absenteeism and lower test scores, highlighting the importance of regular attendance. For parents, this comparison shows that within the same zip code, school models can produce very different results, with the charter school currently demonstrating stronger academic performance and student engagement despite fewer financial resources per pupil.
Thank you for your feedback!