Summary:
The Gila Bend Unified District in Arizona is home to a single elementary school, Gila Bend Elementary, which serves a diverse student population from prekindergarten through 8th grade. The school faces significant challenges, with consistently low academic performance, high poverty levels, and a declining ranking among Arizona elementary schools.
Gila Bend Elementary serves a predominantly Hispanic (67.85%) and Native American (22.51%) student population, with 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. The school has struggled academically, with proficiency rates well below state averages in core subjects like science, English language arts, and mathematics. For example, only 3% of 5th graders and 6% of 8th graders were proficient or better in science, compared to state averages of 34% and 27%, respectively. Similarly, proficiency rates in English language arts and mathematics ranged from just 4% to 18% across different grade levels, far below the state averages of 37% to 45% and 27% to 43%, respectively.
The challenges faced by Gila Bend Elementary are reflected in its declining ranking among Arizona elementary schools, from 877 out of 1,039 in 2018-2019 to 1,226 out of 1,245 in the most recent school year. This suggests that the school is falling further behind its peers and may require targeted interventions and support to improve student outcomes. Given the high poverty levels and diverse student population, addressing the needs of Gila Bend Elementary will likely require a multi-faceted approach involving increased resources, tailored programs, and a sustained commitment to supporting student learning and success.
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