Summary:
The city of La Mesa, California is home to 16 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 2 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The data reveals a wide range of academic performance across these institutions, with standout schools like Helix High and La Mesa Arts Academy leading the way, while others like Grossmont High struggle to meet state standards.
Helix High, a public charter high school, stands out with its 5-star rating, excellent academic performance, and impressive 96.1% four-year graduation rate. In contrast, Grossmont High has a much lower 79.5% graduation rate and an 18.9% dropout rate. The data also highlights the strong performance of La Mesa Arts Academy, a public middle school that ranks in the top 15% of California middle schools.
While some schools excel, the data reveals significant disparities in academic achievement across the La Mesa area. The La Mesa-Spring Valley school district, which encompasses the majority of the schools in the data set, appears to be performing below the state average on many metrics, suggesting a need for further investigation and potential improvement efforts. The analysis also highlights the correlation between student socioeconomic status and academic performance, with schools serving higher-need populations generally struggling more than their counterparts.
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