Summary:
The city of Jay, Maine is home to three schools that serve students from elementary through high school: Spruce Mountain High School, Spruce Mountain Middle School, and Spruce Mountain Elementary School. These schools are part of the Regional School Unit 73 district.
Among the three schools, Spruce Mountain High School stands out with a significant decline in its state-wide ranking, dropping from 9th out of 98 schools in 2021-2022 to 70th out of 123 schools in 2022-2023. This dramatic drop in performance is concerning and warrants further investigation. In contrast, Spruce Mountain Middle School has maintained a consistent 2-star rating from SchoolDigger and reported an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 0%, suggesting effective strategies in place to address student attendance.
The data also reveals a potential correlation between socioeconomic factors and academic performance. Spruce Mountain Elementary School and Spruce Mountain Middle School, which have the highest percentages of free and reduced lunch recipients, also have the lowest state-wide rankings and ratings. Additionally, the racial makeup of the schools indicates a predominantly white student population, which may raise questions about equity and inclusiveness within the school system.
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