Summary:
This analysis examines eight middle schools within the Baltimore City Public Schools district, which serves a highly economically disadvantaged urban population and ranks in the 4th percentile statewide, highlighting significant challenges across all schools.
The standout performer is The Crossroads School, which is the only school to earn a 2-star rating and ranks in the 45th percentile statewide. It leads the group with 45% ELA proficiency and 13.1% Math proficiency, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 19.8%—less than half the district average of 46.4%. In contrast, Booker T. Washington Middle presents a paradox: despite spending the most per student ($33,882) and having the smallest class sizes (9.1:1), it has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (71.4%) and some of the lowest test scores, with only 2.4% Math proficiency. Lillie May Carroll Jackson School shows relative strength in ELA at 31.3% and the second-lowest absenteeism rate (20.5%), while Katherine Johnson Global Academy and The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle struggle with absenteeism rates above 57% and Math proficiency below 3%.
The data reveals a strong link between attendance and achievement: schools with lower chronic absenteeism, like The Crossroads School and Lillie May Carroll Jackson School, consistently outperform those with higher rates. For example, Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys has a similar economic profile to The Crossroads School (78.88% vs. 74.69% free/reduced lunch) but double the absenteeism rate (39.7% vs. 19.8%) and significantly lower ELA scores (15.4% vs. 45%). This suggests that school culture and targeted interventions can make a difference even in challenging contexts. Overall, Math proficiency is universally low across all schools, while ELA shows more variability, with three schools approaching the district average of 32.9%.
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