Summary:
The 61842 zip code area is home to two schools - Ruth M Schneider Elementary School and Blue Ridge High School, both part of the Blue Ridge CUSD 18 district. While the high school has shown some improvement in its statewide ranking, both schools face significant challenges in academic performance and student attendance.
Ruth M Schneider Elementary School struggles with low proficiency rates in ELA and Math, with only 15.4% and 36.5% of 3rd graders meeting proficiency standards in 2023-2024. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 13.7%. In contrast, Blue Ridge High School has a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 88.3%, but its students underperform on SAT Math and ELA assessments, with only 19.4% and 30.6% proficient, respectively. The high school also faces a concerning chronic absenteeism rate of 32.3%.
Both schools serve a population with significant socioeconomic challenges, as nearly 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. While the high school spends more per student ($17,777) compared to the elementary school ($13,878), this does not seem to translate into better academic outcomes. The data suggests that the schools in this area face complex challenges that require targeted interventions and support to improve student learning and attendance.
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