Summary:
Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy is the sole elementary public charter school serving grades PK-8 in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has consistently struggled with low academic performance, ranking in the bottom 10-20% of Missouri elementary schools over the past three years and earning a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.
The school's proficiency rates on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests are significantly below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 3rd grade math proficiency rate was just 4.9% compared to the state average of 40.8%. Additionally, the school has a very high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, at 99.18% in the 2022-2023 school year, indicating a predominantly low-income student population.
Despite the school's low performance, it appears to have relatively high per-student spending and a low student-teacher ratio, which could suggest that resources are not being effectively utilized or targeted to address the specific needs of the student population. The school also faces a concerning chronic absenteeism rate of 56.7% in the 2023-2024 school year, which is significantly higher than the state average and likely contributes to the poor academic outcomes. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identify and implement effective interventions and support systems.
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