Summary:
The 13 schools in the 21217 zip code of Baltimore, Maryland serve predominantly African American student populations facing significant economic challenges, with free and reduced lunch rates ranging from 61% to 93%. While most schools in the area struggle to meet state performance standards, a few standout institutions like Mount Royal Elementary/Middle and Midtown Academy demonstrate that with the right resources and strategies, schools in this underserved community can improve academic outcomes.
The data reveals a potential correlation between higher per-student spending and better school performance, with the higher-spending schools generally achieving stronger results on MCAP assessments. For example, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West has the highest performance on English Language Arts among the high schools in the zip code. Conversely, the extremely high rates of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch suggest that these schools face significant challenges related to poverty, which likely contribute to their overall academic struggles.
Overall, the schools in this Baltimore City Public Schools district highlight the need for targeted interventions and support to improve educational outcomes for students in this underserved area. Identifying and replicating the strategies used by the higher-performing schools, such as Mount Royal Elementary/Middle and Midtown Academy, could be a valuable starting point for addressing the significant achievement gaps observed across the zip code.
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