Newton

The Newton school district in Kansas consists of 8 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools. The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the district, with some standout elementary schools like South Breeze Elementary and Slate Creek Elementary leading the way, while the middle and high schools lag behind state averages.

The top-performing elementary schools, South Breeze and Slate Creek, boast the highest proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics compared to their peers. These schools also rank among the top 25% and 40% of Kansas elementary schools, respectively. In contrast, Opportunity Academy, a high school serving a unique population of at-risk students, has the lowest overall performance, likely due to the challenges faced by its student demographic.

The data also reveals a correlation between economic disadvantage, as measured by free and reduced-price lunch rates, and academic performance. Schools with the highest rates of economically disadvantaged students, such as Opportunity Academy and Sunset Elementary, tend to have the lowest proficiency rates. This highlights the need for targeted interventions and support to address the challenges faced by these schools and ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students in the Newton district.