Summary:
The Arlington School District in Washington serves about 5,600 students across ten public schools, including five elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools, with a mix of traditional and alternative programs.
Families will find a district of contrasts, where some schools excel while others face significant challenges. Top performers include Kent Prairie Elementary, the highest-ranked elementary school with particularly strong science scores, and Arlington High School, which boasts a strong graduation rate of over 90%. However, the alternative high schools, Weston High School and Arlington Open Doors, have very low graduation rates, creating a stark divide in student outcomes within the same district.
Key areas for parents to note are a consistent decline in math scores as students move from elementary to middle school, with Post Middle School showing a concerning drop in ranking. On a positive note, the district's overall graduation rate exceeds the state average, and science performance is often a strength. The wide range in per-student spending between schools, which does not clearly correlate with better results, suggests families should look beyond simple metrics to understand each school's specific approach and support systems.
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