Summary:
The Estill County school district in Kentucky consists of 5 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools (one of which is an alternative school). The district serves a community facing significant economic challenges, with high percentages of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch across all schools.
While the district as a whole appears to be underperforming compared to state averages, with low test scores and graduation rates, there are some standout schools worth noting. Estill County Success Academy, the alternative high school, has an impressive 95.5% 4-year graduation rate, significantly higher than the 92.4% rate at Estill County High School. This suggests the alternative school is effectively serving a more disadvantaged student population. Additionally, Estill Springs Elementary outperforms the other elementary schools on many test score metrics, including a 44% proficiency rate in 3rd-grade reading compared to just 25% at West Irvine Elementary.
The Estill County school district faces significant challenges, but there are also signs of innovation and success, particularly at the alternative high school. Continued focus on supporting disadvantaged students and identifying and scaling best practices could help drive improvements across the district.
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