Summary:
The Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology is the sole public charter school serving grades K-8 in this area. With a student population that is predominantly African American (68.69%) and a high concentration of students from low-income families (96.97% receive free or reduced-price lunch), the school is struggling to provide a high-quality education to its students.
Academically, the Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology is performing significantly below state averages in both math and reading proficiency across multiple grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 15.4% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in math, compared to the state average of 62.7%. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of North Carolina elementary schools and has received the lowest possible rating from SchoolDigger, indicating very poor performance.
The unusual grade configuration of the school, serving grades K-8, may present unique challenges in terms of curriculum, instruction, and student transitions. Given the school's persistently low academic performance and high-poverty student population, there is a clear need for targeted interventions, additional resources, and support from the Z.E.C.A. School of Arts and Technology district and the state to improve educational outcomes for the students.
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