Summary:
The Pierce Joint Unified school district in California is home to two elementary schools: Arbuckle Elementary and Grand Island Elementary. While Arbuckle Elementary is significantly larger with 596 students, it has consistently ranked higher than Grand Island Elementary in the statewide SchoolDigger rankings, with a 2 out of 5 star rating compared to Grand Island's lower ratings.
Academically, both schools face challenges, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics generally lower than the district and state averages. Notably, Grand Island Elementary's proficiency rates are even lower than Arbuckle Elementary's, despite its smaller size. Both schools also struggle with high chronic absenteeism rates, with Grand Island Elementary reporting an alarming 24.5% rate. Socioeconomic factors may play a role, as both schools serve a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, with Arbuckle at 69.97% and Grand Island at 74.51%.
Despite the smaller size of Grand Island Elementary, it does not appear to outperform Arbuckle Elementary in academic metrics. This suggests that school size alone does not guarantee better outcomes. Addressing the challenges of chronic absenteeism and supporting the needs of economically disadvantaged students could be crucial for improving the educational outcomes of both schools within the Pierce Joint Unified district.
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