Summary:
The 02451 zip code area of Waltham, Massachusetts is home to two elementary schools: Douglas MacArthur Elementary School and Thomas R Plympton Elementary School. Based on the available data, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School appears to be the stronger-performing school, consistently outperforming the Waltham district and state averages in MCAS proficiency rates across multiple grade levels and earning a higher 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. In contrast, Plympton Elementary School underperformed the district and state benchmarks in most academic areas and received a lower 1-star rating.
While both schools have similar student-teacher ratios, Douglas MacArthur spent less per student ($21,642) compared to Plympton ($23,136). This suggests that factors beyond just funding and resources may be contributing to the performance gap between the two schools. Additionally, the schools have contrasting student demographics, with Douglas MacArthur having a higher percentage of white students and Plympton serving a more diverse student population with higher percentages of Hispanic and African American students.
Overall, the analysis indicates that Douglas MacArthur Elementary School is the stronger-performing school in the 02451 zip code area, but the underlying reasons for the performance disparity between the two schools warrant further investigation. Identifying and addressing the specific challenges faced by Plympton Elementary School could help improve student outcomes and ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students in the Waltham community.
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