Summary:
Vista Charter Academy is the sole public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a total enrollment of 605 students. The school's student population is predominantly Hispanic (55.87%) and African American (26.61%), with a high percentage of students (93.39%) eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty student population.
Despite the school's higher-than-average per-student spending of $14,424, Vista Charter Academy consistently underperforms academically, with proficiency rates on standardized assessments well below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. The school's low statewide ranking, placing in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools, and its 1 or 2-star rating from SchoolDigger further highlight its academic struggles. Additionally, the school faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism, with a rate of 24.6% for the 2022-2023 school year, significantly higher than the state average.
The combination of low academic achievement, high poverty, and high chronic absenteeism suggests that Vista Charter Academy may benefit from targeted interventions and support to address the unique needs of its student population. Strategies focused on improving attendance, providing additional academic support, and addressing the socioeconomic barriers faced by students could potentially help the school improve its performance and outcomes.
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