JW Sexton High School

Summary:

JW Sexton High School is a public magnet high school in Lansing, Michigan, serving grades 8-12 with a student population of 976, and is part of the Lansing Public School District, which is ranked 553 out of 610 districts in the state.

While the nearby schools, such as Eastern High School and Everett High School, also face challenges, JW Sexton High School stands out with a significantly higher percentage of African American students (51.74%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 34.51% to 42.37%. Academically, the school consistently ranks in the bottom quartile of Michigan high schools, with a statewide rank ranging from 643 to 724 out of 666 to 824 schools over the past decade. Its four-year graduation rate has fluctuated between 61.2% and 77.9% over the past five years, lower than the surrounding schools, which range from 85.5% to 89.5%. Additionally, JW Sexton has experienced extremely high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 69.1% to 94.0% over the past five years, significantly higher than the surrounding schools, which range from 23.4% to 85.5%.

These challenges are exacerbated by the school's high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 77.16% to 90.37% of the student population eligible for free or reduced-price lunch over the past three years. Addressing the racial disparities, low academic performance, high dropout rates, and chronic absenteeism at JW Sexton High School will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach that focuses on equity, student support, and evidence-based instructional practices.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 8-12

 102 McPherson Ave
       Lansing, MI  48915-1760


(517) 755-1070

District: Lansing Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
694th of 743 Michigan High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,435 Help


Feeder schools for JW Sexton High School:

Elementary:    Forrest G Averill School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.8 Help
Number of students:  976

Racial breakdown:

African American:
51.7%
White:
17.6%
Hispanic:
13.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  90.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details JW Sexton High School ranks worse than 96.8% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.78. (See more...)
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Compare Details JW Sexton High School ranks worse than 93.4% of high schools in Michigan. It also ranks last among 3 ranked high schools in the Lansing Public School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.92. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at JW Sexton High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at JW Sexton High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (51.7%), White (17.6%), Hispanic (13.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 90.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Lansing Public School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at JW Sexton High School is 17.8, which is the 2nd best among 3 high schools in the Lansing Public School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare JW Sexton High School employs 54.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at JW Sexton High School is $20,435, which is the highest among 5 high schools in the Lansing Public School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

JW Sexton High School:

SchoolDigger ranks JW Sexton High School 868th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See JW Sexton High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Male students:

SchoolDigger ranks JW Sexton High School 694th of 743 Michigan public high schools. (See JW Sexton High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Lansing Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Lansing Public School District 553rd of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for JW Sexton High School

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2013 6.04 896th 919 2.5%
2014 6.82 881st 921 4.3%
2015 9.66 838th 919 8.8%
2016 7.41 837th 894 6.4%
2018 7.60 822nd 838 1.9%
2022 3.80 771st 776 0.6%
2023 5.63 861st 883 2.5%
2024 6.78 868th 897 3.2%
See the entire list of Michigan High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school English Language Learner students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.84 148th 154 3.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.61 776th 815 4.8%
2022 3.62 689th 691 0.3%
2023 6.93 803rd 825 2.7%
2024 8.23 808th 836 3.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 4.86 789th 794 0.6%
2019 2.63 654th 658 0.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 9.20 750th 797 5.9%
2023 4.14 773rd 776 0.4%
2024 5.46 773rd 786 1.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school Asian students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 1.32 104th 104 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.78 333rd 366 9.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 3.71 671st 678 1.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for JW Sexton High School

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Compare

Rank History for all high school students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 28.25 557th 705 21.0%
2007 30.33 569th 767 25.8%
2008 29.67 569th 750 24.1%
2009 30.58 562nd 754 25.5%
2010 28.32 567th 765 25.9%
2011 25.48 595th 784 24.1%
2012 11.24 672nd 773 13.1%
2013 19.71 609th 805 24.3%
2014 15.71 641st 799 19.8%
2015 21.14 652nd 832 21.6%
2016 13.70 677th 852 20.5%
2017 6.74 711th 835 14.9%
2018 8.62 724th 824 12.1%
2019 3.94 643rd 666 3.5%
2023 8.75 675th 735 8.2%
2024 6.92 694th 743 6.6%
See the entire list of Michigan High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school English Language Learner students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.93 79th 102 22.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 8.79 676th 755 10.5%
2019 3.94 516th 532 3.0%
2023 10.83 565th 614 8.0%
2024 6.44 627th 654 4.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 4.76 661st 710 6.9%
2019 2.29 543rd 554 2.0%
2023 9.42 560th 611 8.3%
2024 4.72 600th 619 3.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 6.70 644th 707 8.9%
2019 2.20 533rd 543 1.8%
2023 5.49 587th 611 3.9%
2024 4.99 605th 633 4.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school Asian students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 2.79 84th 87 3.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 10.50 237th 254 6.7%
2023 20.97 144th 170 15.3%
2024 17.40 163rd 188 13.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.67 123rd 201 38.8%
2023 22.35 157th 190 17.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school White students at JW Sexton High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 7.02 631st 708 10.9%
2023 8.49 617th 647 4.6%
2024 27.66 468th 638 26.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

JW Sexton High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for JW Sexton High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 923 768 57 159 22 n/a n/a -1 1928
1989 804 753 45 136 14 n/a n/a 0 1752
1990 674 729 49 111 11 n/a n/a -35 1539
1991 626 676 63 100 9 n/a n/a 0 1474
1992 609 636 76 87 7 n/a n/a 0 1415
1993 635 611 75 101 9 n/a n/a 0 1431
1994 633 662 54 104 12 n/a n/a 0 1465
1995 627 735 78 110 7 n/a n/a 0 1557
1996 627 735 78 110 7 n/a n/a 0 1557
1997 560 735 84 104 6 n/a n/a 0 1489
1998 548 704 78 93 6 n/a n/a 0 1429
1999 506 670 64 87 5 n/a n/a 0 1332
2000 456 484 242 90 6 n/a n/a 0 1278
2001 405 615 57 91 9 n/a n/a 0 1177
2002 340 631 71 93 7 n/a n/a 0 1142
2003 340 631 71 93 7 n/a n/a 0 1142
2004 303 667 61 84 10 n/a n/a 0 1125
2005 263 708 61 91 10 n/a n/a 0 1133
2006 231 649 64 71 13 n/a n/a 0 1028
2007 199 672 52 79 10 n/a n/a 0 1012
2008 180 655 55 81 9 n/a n/a 0 980
2009 171 588 59 76 4 n/a n/a 0 898
2010 136 518 67 75 3 n/a n/a 0 799
2011 145 461 55 80 5 0 0 0 746
2012 150 486 55 84 5 0 13 0 793
2013 160 563 67 77 11 0 25 0 903
2014 145 535 67 100 9 0 25 0 881
2015 130 508 80 101 8 0 45 0 872
2016 122 457 73 99 6 0 40 0 797
2017 119 458 81 92 5 0 42 0 797
2018 121 457 70 115 3 0 49 0 815
2019 122 431 65 98 2 0 46 0 764
2020 176 571 59 143 3 0 88 0 1040
2021 187 589 47 161 3 0 90 0 1077
2022 157 508 43 135 4 1 90 0 938
2023 172 505 57 133 3 1 105 0 976

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at JW Sexton High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1928 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1752 n/a n/a 10.4
1990 1539 86.0 17.8 12.4
1991 1474 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1415 n/a n/a 16
1993 1431 n/a 0.0 29.1
1994 1465 68.0 21.5 28.3
1995 1557 69.1 22.5 26.5
1996 1557 69.1 22.5 26.5
1997 1489 68.0 21.9 31.1
1998 1429 69.0 20.7 27.2
1999 1332 63.0 21.1 27.3
2000 1278 56.2 22.7 31.2
2001 1177 56.2 20.9 31
2002 1142 6.0 190.3 42.9
2003 1142 6.0 190.3 42.9
2004 1125 21.0 53.6 45.8
2005 1133 60.0 18.9 50.8
2006 1028 56.6 18.2 56.8
2007 1012 53.3 19.0 54.1
2008 980 46.3 21.2 54.3
2009 898 43.7 20.5 56.3
2010 799 42.6 18.7 67.3
2011 746 40.6 18.3 66.2
2012 793 35.0 22.6 56.5
2013 903 47.6 18.9 57
2014 881 41.2 21.3 65
2015 872 40.0 21.8 51.9
2016 797 40.0 19.9 62.4
2017 797 41.3 19.2 64.1
2018 815 48.4 16.8 75.8
2019 764 47.3 16.1 70.9
2020 1040 48.8 21.2 81.7
2021 1077 56.4 19.0 77.2
2022 938 53.5 17.5 80.4
2023 976 54.6 17.8 90.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio JW Sexton High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1928 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1752 n/a n/a 10.4
1990 1539 86.0 17.8 12.4
1991 1474 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1415 n/a n/a 16
1993 1431 n/a 0.0 29.1
1994 1465 68.0 21.5 28.3
1995 1557 69.1 22.5 26.5
1996 1557 69.1 22.5 26.5
1997 1489 68.0 21.9 31.1
1998 1429 69.0 20.7 27.2
1999 1332 63.0 21.1 27.3
2000 1278 56.2 22.7 31.2
2001 1177 56.2 20.9 31
2002 1142 6.0 190.3 42.9
2003 1142 6.0 190.3 42.9
2004 1125 21.0 53.6 45.8
2005 1133 60.0 18.9 50.8
2006 1028 56.6 18.2 56.8
2007 1012 53.3 19.0 54.1
2008 980 46.3 21.2 54.3
2009 898 43.7 20.5 56.3
2010 799 42.6 18.7 67.3
2011 746 40.6 18.3 66.2
2012 793 35.0 22.6 56.5
2013 903 47.6 18.9 57
2014 881 41.2 21.3 65
2015 872 40.0 21.8 51.9
2016 797 40.0 19.9 62.4
2017 797 41.3 19.2 64.1
2018 815 48.4 16.8 75.8
2019 764 47.3 16.1 70.9
2020 1040 48.8 21.2 81.7
2021 1077 56.4 19.0 77.2
2022 938 53.5 17.5 80.4
2023 976 54.6 17.8 90.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for JW Sexton High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $2,690 (16.0%) $14,171 (84.0%) $16,861
2020 $2,489 (17.0%) $12,181 (83.0%) $14,670
2021 $4,186 (24.1%) $13,186 (75.9%) $17,372
2022 $7,912 (41.3%) $11,244 (58.7%) $19,156
2023 $5,648 (27.6%) $14,788 (72.4%) $20,435

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on JW Sexton High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 643rd of 666 High schoolsRanks 675th of 735 High schools
 4.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (JW Sexton High School)9.35.7
 3.6%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Lansing Public School District)13.514.6
 1.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (JW Sexton High School)17.926.9
 9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Lansing Public School District)25.734.8
 9.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
11th Grade Social Studies (JW Sexton High School)14.713.9
 0.8%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Lansing Public School District)21.316.2
 5.1%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)46.636.1
 10.5%
11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (JW Sexton High School)18.627
 8.4%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Lansing Public School District)2728.3
 1.3%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Michigan)55.352.2
 3.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (JW Sexton High School)5.96.1
 0.2%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Lansing Public School District)7.98.3
 0.4%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)36.329.9
 6.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students764976
 27.7%
African American431505
 17.2%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian6557
 12.3%
Hispanic98133
 35.7%
Pacific Islander01
White122172
 41%
Two or More Races46105
 128.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients70.9%90.4%
 19.4%


Schools Near JW Sexton High School









Frequently Asked Questions about JW Sexton High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 976 students attended JW Sexton High School.

Students at JW Sexton High School are 52% African American, 18% White, 14% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

JW Sexton High School ranks in the bottom 6.6% of Michigan high schools.

JW Sexton High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Forrest G Averill School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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