Summary:
The city of Packwood, Iowa is home to two schools - Pekin Elementary School and Pekin Community Junior/Senior High School, both part of the Pekin Community School District. While Pekin Elementary has consistently ranked among the top 25% of Iowa elementary schools, Pekin High has struggled to match that level of academic performance.
Pekin Elementary stands out with its 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, strong test scores that exceed the state averages, and a relatively low free/reduced lunch rate of 31.71%. In contrast, Pekin High has only a 2-star rating and its test scores are more mixed, with some grades performing above the state average but others lagging behind. The disparity in performance between the elementary and high school levels suggests potential issues with the transition from one to the other, or differences in the quality of instruction and resources.
Despite the differences in academic achievement, both schools have a predominantly white student population, with Pekin Elementary at 93.71% and Pekin High at 92.81%. This lack of racial diversity may be a reflection of the local demographics, but it's worth exploring whether the schools are providing an inclusive environment for students of color. Additionally, the higher per-student spending at Pekin High compared to the elementary school is noteworthy, as one might expect the opposite given the greater resource needs of younger students.
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