Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools (serving grades K-6) within the Centralia School District in zip code 98531, a district that ranks in the bottom 14th percentile statewide, where all schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students but show significant variation in academic performance.
Washington Elementary School stands out as the top performer, ranking in the 40th percentile with the strongest test scores in English, math, and science. Edison Elementary follows as a steady performer, while Jefferson Lincoln Elementary faces the most significant challenges, ranking in the 5th percentile with the lowest proficiency rates. Fords Prairie Elementary and Oakview Elementary School fall in the middle, with Fords Prairie showing recent improvement.
Key takeaways include a wide performance gap within the same district, with a 35-percentile-point difference between the highest and lowest-ranked schools. All schools perform below state averages, but science scores are a relative strength. Notably, higher per-student spending does not directly correlate with better outcomes, suggesting that school-level practices and resources are critical factors for parents to consider.
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