Summary:
The city of Pontiac, Illinois is home to 5 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The data reveals a district facing significant challenges, with low academic performance, high rates of chronic absenteeism, and high proportions of economically disadvantaged students across the schools.
Pontiac High School stands out as the strongest performer, maintaining a consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger and a graduation rate of 78.4% that is above the district and state averages. In contrast, Lincoln Elementary School has seen a decline in its historically strong performance, with test scores and rankings dropping in recent years. The other elementary schools, Central, Washington, and Pontiac Junior High, all struggle with low proficiency rates, particularly in math.
The district-wide challenges are evident in the high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 25.5% at Pontiac High School to 38.9% at Central Elementary School. Additionally, the schools have high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting potential equity concerns in providing quality education to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Addressing these systemic issues will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach that considers the unique contextual factors impacting each school and the district as a whole.
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