Summary:
Zip code 96137 in Westwood, CA, is served by two public schools within the Westwood Unified district: Fletcher Walker Elementary (grades K-8) and Westwood High (grades 9-12), both of which have a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and face significant academic challenges compared to state averages.
Comparing the two schools reveals a stark contrast in stability and outcomes. Fletcher Walker Elementary shows fluctuating performance but currently ranks near the middle statewide, while Westwood High is in a severe crisis, with its statewide ranking plummeting and current graduation and dropout rates of 46.2% and 53.8%, respectively. Interestingly, the high school spends more per student and has a much smaller class size, yet it performs worse across all subjects, indicating challenges beyond basic resources.
Key concerns for parents to consider include test scores that are below state averages in all subjects at both schools, particularly in science and math, where proficiency drops sharply in later grades at the elementary school. Both schools also report chronic absenteeism rates much higher than the state average. The extremely small size of Westwood High (54 students) may limit opportunities and makes its performance trends especially volatile, highlighting a need for urgent support at the secondary level within the district.
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