Summary:
The city of District Heights, Maryland is home to three elementary schools that serve students from prekindergarten through 5th grade. Based on the available data, these schools are consistently underperforming, with all three ranking in the bottom quartile of Maryland elementary schools and receiving low ratings from SchoolDigger. The student populations at Francis Scott Key Elementary, District Heights Elementary, and Concord Elementary are predominantly African American and Hispanic, with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges.
Academically, the schools struggle, with proficiency rates on the MCAP exams well below the Prince George's County Public Schools district and the state of Maryland averages. For example, in 3rd grade math, the proficiency rates range from just 6.5% to 14.5%, compared to the district average of 21.3% and the state average of 40.3%. The schools also perform poorly in English Language Arts, with proficiency rates ranging from 16.1% to 28.6% across the different grade levels.
The variation in per-student spending among the three schools, ranging from $14,550 to $19,870, may be a contributing factor to their differing academic outcomes. However, the data alone does not provide a clear correlation between spending and performance. Overall, the analysis of the District Heights school data reveals a concerning picture of consistently low academic achievement, high rates of poverty, and a lack of diversity, suggesting the need for comprehensive, data-driven interventions to improve educational opportunities for the students in this community.
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