Summary:
The Goldendale School District in Washington state has only one middle school, Goldendale Middle School, which serves grades 6-8. Despite the district's relatively high per-student spending, Goldendale Middle School has consistently underperformed compared to state and district averages on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 13.33% to 25.62% across subject areas, far below the state averages of 41.68% to 52.63%.
The school's academic struggles are reflected in its low ranking among Washington middle schools, placing 517 out of 535 in the 2023-2024 school year and 419 out of 539 in 2022-2023. This persistent underperformance may be attributed to the school's high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 77.86% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2022-2023 school year. The diverse student population, which is 67.94% White, 18.7% Hispanic, 6.49% Native American, and 5.34% two or more races, may also present unique challenges that require targeted interventions and support.
Despite the relatively high per-student spending of $20,368 in the 2021-2022 school year and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, which is slightly higher than the state average, the school's academic performance continues to decline. This suggests that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution, and a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the underlying factors contributing to Goldendale Middle School's underperformance and support the unique needs of its student population.
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