Whiteriver Unified District

The Whiteriver Unified District in Arizona operates 5 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district serves a predominantly Native American student population, with 97-98.5% of students identifying as such across all schools. While the district provides higher-than-average per-student spending, academic performance remains a significant challenge, with proficiency rates well below state averages.

Among the standout schools in the district, Seven Mile School has the lowest student-teacher ratio, potentially indicating smaller class sizes and more individualized attention. Additionally, Whiteriver Elementary outperforms other district schools in 5th grade science and 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency. However, the district as a whole is ranked 531 out of 540 in Arizona and has a 0-star rating, highlighting the significant challenges faced by students and educators.

Across the district, test scores, graduation rates, and dropout rates paint a concerning picture. For example, in 11th grade math, the district average proficiency rate is just 4%, compared to the state average of 32%. At Alchesay High School, the 4-year graduation rate is 69.8%, and the dropout rate is 14.7%. These statistics, combined with the high percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch (68.8% to 92.8%), suggest that students in the Whiteriver Unified District face significant economic and academic challenges that require targeted interventions and additional resources to address.