Summary:
The Kearney Public Schools district in Nebraska is home to two middle schools, Horizon Middle School and Sunrise Middle School, which serve students in grades 6-8. Based on the available data, Horizon Middle School emerges as the standout performer, consistently ranking higher in statewide assessments and demonstrating stronger academic outcomes across various metrics.
Horizon Middle School boasts a higher percentage of students proficient or better in NSCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments compared to Sunrise Middle School and the district average. Additionally, Horizon has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a more advantaged student population. The school also maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15:1, compared to Sunrise's 13.3:1, suggesting a more personalized learning environment.
While Sunrise Middle School has a more diverse student population, with higher percentages of Hispanic and other racial/ethnic groups, it lags behind Horizon in academic performance. Interestingly, Sunrise's higher spending per student does not translate into better outcomes, underscoring the importance of factors beyond just funding, such as teaching quality, curriculum, and school leadership, in driving student success. Overall, the data analysis highlights the need for the Kearney Public Schools district to further investigate the factors contributing to the performance gap between the two middle schools and identify best practices to enhance educational outcomes across all its schools.
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