Summary:
This analysis examines three public high schools serving grades 9-12 (with one also serving grades 7-12) in Sacramento's 95828 zip code, an area where a high percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic need.
Among these schools, Florin High stands out as the strongest performer, with significantly higher test scores and a 90.1% graduation rate that exceeds state averages, despite serving a similar student population. In contrast, Calvine High, which is in the same Elk Grove Unified district, faces severe challenges, including a 0% proficiency rate in mathematics and an alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rate of 71%. The third school, Nathaniel S. Colley Senior High, operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education, has a very low graduation rate of 31.7%, suggesting it may serve a distinct, high-need student population.
Key takeaways for parents include a major concern with student attendance, which is very high at two of the three schools and is closely linked to academic struggles. There is also a clear mathematics proficiency crisis across the area. Interestingly, higher per-student spending, as seen at Nathaniel Colley, does not guarantee better outcomes, and smaller class sizes, as at Calvine High, do not automatically lead to higher performance. The notable difference between the two Elk Grove Unified schools suggests that factors within individual schools, such as programs or leadership, can make a significant impact even in similar communities.
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