Summary:
The Valdez City School District has a single middle school, George H. Gilson Middle School, which serves students in grades 6-8. Located in the city of Valdez, Alaska, the school stands out for its consistently strong academic performance, diverse student population, and access to significant resources.
George H. Gilson Middle School has a student enrollment of 144, with a racial makeup that is 63.89% White, 1.39% African American, 3.47% Hispanic, 7.64% Native American, and 22.92% two or more races. The school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates on state assessments, is generally higher than the district and state averages across subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had a 61.54% proficiency rate in science, compared to 57.38% for the district and 36.94% for the state. Additionally, the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 16.7, and spends $19,627 per student, indicating a significant investment in resources and funding.
While the school's academic success is noteworthy, it also faces some challenges. The school has a free and reduced-price lunch rate of 45.83%, suggesting a significant population of economically disadvantaged students. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has fluctuated in recent years, ranging from 33rd out of 92 middle schools in 2022-2023 to 56th out of 95 in 2021-2022, with a current ranking of 48th out of 91 for 2023-2024. Further analysis of the school's practices and strategies could provide valuable insights into how it is able to achieve its academic success despite these challenges.
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