Summary:
The city of Arcadia, Florida is home to 7 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 3 alternative schools. The schools in this district serve a diverse student population and face varying challenges, with significant disparities in performance and outcomes across the different institutions.
Desoto Middle School stands out as a high-performing school, with the highest proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (71%) and Civics (56%) among the schools in the data set. West Elementary School also excels, with the highest proficiency rates in Math across grades 3-5 and a lower chronic absenteeism rate compared to other elementary schools. In contrast, Desoto County High School and the alternative schools, such as Desoto Secondary School and Reduced Services, struggle with lower graduation rates, higher chronic absenteeism, and poorer academic outcomes.
The data reveals significant disparities in funding, with the alternative schools receiving significantly more per-student spending than the other schools. This raises questions about resource allocation and equity within the Desoto district. Additionally, the high rates of free/reduced lunch recipients across most schools suggest that poverty is a significant challenge in the area, which may impact student learning and achievement. Addressing these disparities and supporting the most vulnerable student populations will be crucial for the district's leaders as they work to improve educational outcomes for all students in Arcadia.
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