Summary:
The city of Sacaton, Arizona is home to two underperforming schools: Sacaton Elementary and Sacaton Middle School. Both schools serve a predominantly Native American student population from a community facing significant socioeconomic challenges, as evidenced by the high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Academically, Sacaton Elementary and Sacaton Middle School are among the lowest-performing schools in the state, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science well below the state averages. For example, in 2022-2023, only 3% of 3rd graders at Sacaton Elementary were proficient in ELA, compared to the state average of 41%. Both schools are ranked near the bottom of their respective school types in Arizona and have a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating they are among the lowest-performing schools in the state.
Despite relatively high per-student spending and low student-teacher ratios, the Sacaton schools have not shown any meaningful improvement in their academic performance over the years, suggesting that simply increasing funding and resources may not be the sole solution. Addressing the systemic challenges facing these schools will require a comprehensive, community-based approach that addresses the unique needs of the Sacaton community, including the significant socioeconomic and equity concerns that are likely contributing to the schools' poor academic outcomes.
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