Summary:
Zip code 95726 in the rural Pollock Pines area of El Dorado County is served by two public schools within the Pollock Pines Elementary district: Pinewood Elementary (grades K-4) and Sierra Ridge Middle (grades 5-8), which together enroll about 586 students.
Comparing the two schools, Sierra Ridge Middle shows more consistent academic performance and ranks higher than Pinewood Elementary, with a better student-teacher ratio and lower chronic absenteeism. Pinewood Elementary has seen a notable drop in its statewide ranking and struggles with the highest absenteeism rate; it also shows a concerning proficiency drop in 4th grade, especially in math where only about 19% of students met standards compared to the state average of 42%.
Both schools face challenges, with academic proficiency in English and math below state averages and high rates of economic disadvantage among students. The Pollock Pines Elementary district as a whole ranks in the bottom third in California. A notable finding is that Pinewood Elementary receives more funding per student than the middle school but has poorer outcomes, suggesting factors beyond funding are at play. For parents, it's important to note that while both schools serve a high-need community, the middle school currently demonstrates stronger and more stable performance.
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