Summary:
This analysis looks at the four elementary schools, all serving grades K-6, within the Clarkston School District in Washington, a district ranked in the bottom 40% statewide.
Heights Elementary is the clear top performer in the district, earning 3 stars and achieving the highest test scores, especially excelling in science where it far surpasses both district peers and the state average. In contrast, Grantham Elementary faces significant challenges, consistently receiving a 1-star rating with the lowest proficiency rates despite having the highest per-student spending and smallest class sizes. The other two schools, Parkway Elementary and Highland Elementary, are mid-tier within the district, both holding 2-star ratings with academic performance generally below state averages.
Overall, the district's elementary schools perform below Washington state averages in English and math. A strong pattern shows that schools with higher economic need, measured by free/reduced lunch percentages, tend to have lower test scores. Performance also varies greatly by grade level in some schools, pointing to potential areas for curriculum focus. The data suggests that while resources are important, they alone do not guarantee high academic outcomes, as seen with Grantham's high funding but low scores.
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