Summary:
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District in Alaska is home to a single middle school, Schoenbar Middle School, which serves students in grades 6-8. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio and high per-student spending, its academic performance lags behind both district and state averages, with proficiency rates in core subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science falling well below the norm.
Schoenbar Middle School's enrollment of 269 students is diverse, with a racial makeup of 52.42% White, 27.51% Native American, and 12.27% Asian. However, the school also has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 39.78% of its population receiving free or reduced-price lunch. This demographic factor may contribute to the school's academic challenges, which have persisted over recent years, with the school's statewide ranking among Alaska middle schools ranging from 71st to 77th out of 91-95 schools.
Despite the school's relatively high spending per student and low student-teacher ratio, these resources do not appear to be translating into improved academic outcomes. This raises questions about the effective allocation and utilization of resources at the school, and whether there are opportunities for more targeted interventions or instructional strategies to address the persistent academic underperformance. Exploring the connections between socioeconomic status, resource allocation, and academic performance could provide valuable insights for addressing equity and opportunity gaps within the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District.
Thank you for your feedback!