Summary:
The city of Spencer, North Carolina is home to three public schools - North Rowan High, North Rowan Middle, and North Rowan Elementary - all of which serve students from the surrounding Rowan-Salisbury Schools district. Unfortunately, the data paints a concerning picture, as these schools consistently rank in the bottom 5-10% of their respective grade levels statewide, indicating deep-rooted challenges that have not been adequately addressed.
Across the board, the schools in Spencer struggle with low test scores, with proficiency rates well below state and district averages. For example, in 2023-2024, North Rowan High had only 13.2% proficiency in Biology EOC, compared to the state average of 53.4%. Additionally, these schools serve high percentages of economically disadvantaged students, with free and reduced-price lunch rates ranging from 66.38% at North Rowan High to over 90% at North Rowan Elementary. This, combined with the schools' relatively low spending per student and higher student-teacher ratios, suggests a need for increased funding and resources to support student learning.
Despite being part of the same school district, the schools in Spencer do not appear to be making meaningful progress in improving test scores, student outcomes, or overall performance ratings. This points to a need for a more comprehensive, district-wide strategy to support these struggling schools and address the systemic inequities that are holding them back. Addressing the challenges facing the schools in Spencer will require a multi-faceted approach targeting issues of equity, resource allocation, and comprehensive school improvement strategies.
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