Summary:
The 29052 zip code area has only one public elementary school, Gadsden Elementary, which serves grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 132 students. While the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 10.1 to 1 and spends a significant amount per student ($25,886), its academic performance is consistently well below the district and state averages on standardized tests, and its statewide ranking has declined over the past three years, from 487 out of 625 elementary schools in 2021-2022 to 576 out of 638 in 2023-2024.
Gadsden Elementary's student population is predominantly African American (90.91%), with a 100% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the students. This high poverty level may be contributing to the school's poor academic performance, as research has shown that socioeconomic factors can have a significant impact on educational outcomes. Despite the high spending per student, the school's academic struggles suggest that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving educational outcomes.
Overall, the data suggests that Gadsden Elementary is a struggling school that is not meeting the academic needs of its students. The school's declining statewide ranking and consistently poor performance on standardized tests are areas of concern that warrant further investigation and targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes for the students in this Richland 01 district community.
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