Summary:
The Santa Maria-Bonita school district in California consists of 21 schools, including 17 elementary schools and 4 middle schools, serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The district faces significant performance challenges, with many schools struggling to meet state proficiency standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. However, a few standout schools, such as Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco Elementary, Ontiveros (Juan Pacifico) Elementary, and Sanchez (David J.) Elementary, are performing well above the district and state averages.
Key metrics reveal that the district as a whole lags behind the state in proficiency rates, but several individual schools exceed the state averages. Chronic absenteeism is also a significant concern, with many schools exceeding 20% chronic absenteeism. The schools with the lowest chronic absenteeism rates are Jimenez Roberto and Dr. Francisco, Arellanes (Don Juan Bautista) Elementary, and Fairlawn Elementary. Additionally, the majority of schools in the district have very high free/reduced lunch rates, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.
The data suggests a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement, with the schools serving the most economically disadvantaged students generally performing the lowest. Addressing chronic absenteeism and implementing targeted interventions to support these students could be key strategies for improving overall district performance. While the challenges are significant, the standout performance of a few schools demonstrates that with the right approaches, the Santa Maria-Bonita district can work to close the achievement gaps and provide a high-quality education for all its students.
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