Best Public Schools in Zip Code 41006

The 41006 zip code in Kentucky is home to two schools - Northern Elementary School and Phillip Sharp Middle School, both part of the Pendleton County school district. While Northern Elementary appears to be a strong performer, Phillip Sharp Middle School is struggling, highlighting a significant gap in educational outcomes between the two schools.

Northern Elementary School consistently outperforms the county and state averages in mathematics and reading, with 40-60% of 3rd-5th grade students scoring proficient or better. In contrast, Phillip Sharp Middle School lags behind, with only 25-46% of students scoring proficient or better across all subjects. This disparity is reflected in the schools' performance ratings, with Northern Elementary earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, while Phillip Sharp Middle School receives a low 1-star rating, indicating significant room for improvement.

Both schools face challenges, such as high chronic absenteeism rates of 25% and a majority of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a high-need student population. However, the schools' per-student spending, which is slightly above the state average, suggests that funding may not be the primary issue. The focus should be on identifying and addressing the specific factors contributing to the performance gap between the two schools, such as curriculum, teaching quality, or school leadership, in order to ensure all students in the 41006 zip code have access to a high-quality education.