Apollo-Ridge School District

The Apollo-Ridge School District in Pennsylvania operates three schools: Apollo-Ridge Elementary School, Apollo-Ridge High School, and Apollo-Ridge Middle School. While Apollo-Ridge High School is a standout performer, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 37th out of 674 high schools in Pennsylvania, the elementary and middle schools in the district appear to struggle academically, particularly in mathematics.

Across the three schools, there are some notable differences in racial demographics, with Apollo-Ridge Elementary School having the most diverse student population and Apollo-Ridge Middle School having the least. Additionally, all three schools have 100% of their students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage in the district. The per-student spending also varies significantly, with Apollo-Ridge High School having the highest spending at $31,327 per student, while Apollo-Ridge Middle School has the lowest at $16,517 per student.

The stark contrast in school performance within the Apollo-Ridge School District suggests a need to closely examine the factors contributing to the performance gap and implement targeted interventions to support student learning at the lower grade levels. Additionally, the economic challenges faced by the district and the potential equity concerns raised by the racial demographics of the schools highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to address the unique needs and circumstances of the student population.