Paragon Charter Academy

Summary:

Paragon Charter Academy is a public charter elementary school serving grades K-8 in Jackson, Michigan, with a diverse student population. The school consistently outperforms the state average in academic assessments, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and its performance across different student subgroups is impressive.

Paragon Charter Academy's academic excellence is evident in its strong performance on M-Step and PSAT assessments. In 2023-2024, 73.9% of 7th-grade students were proficient or better in M-Step/English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 37.9%, and 65.2% were proficient or better in M-Step/Math, compared to the state average of 32.1%. The school's 8th-grade students also excelled on the PSAT, with 81.8% proficient or better in English Language Arts and 59.1% in Mathematics, significantly higher than the state averages. Notably, Paragon Charter Academy's African American students consistently perform at a high level, ranking in the top 10-37 out of 321-348 Michigan elementary schools for this subgroup.

While Paragon Charter Academy's academic performance is impressive, the school has experienced an increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 16.8% in 2019-2020 to 39.6% in 2022-2023. This is an area of concern that the school should address. Nonetheless, Paragon Charter Academy outperforms the nearby Northeast Elementary School, Warner Elementary School, and Hunt Elementary School, which are part of the Jackson Public Schools district, as well as the nearby Sharp Park Academy magnet school, making it an attractive educational option for families in the region.


Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

 3750 McCain Rd
       Jackson, MI  49201-7675


(517) 750-9500

District: Paragon Charter Academy

SchoolDigger Rank:
654th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,667 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.8 Help
Number of students:  604

Racial breakdown:

White:
44.0%
African American:
22.5%
Two or more races:
13.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  68.9% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Paragon Charter Academy ranks better than 56% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.72. (See more...)
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Compare Details Paragon Charter Academy ranks better than 89.5% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.9. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Paragon Charter Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44%), African American (22.5%), two or more races (13.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 68.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Paragon Charter Academy is 16.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Paragon Charter Academy employs 35.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Paragon Charter Academy is $11,667.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Paragon Charter Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Paragon Charter Academy 654th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Paragon Charter Academy in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Paragon Charter Academy 94th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Paragon Charter Academy in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
White students:


Paragon Charter Academy:

SchoolDigger ranks Paragon Charter Academy 125th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Paragon Charter Academy?

Rank History for Paragon Charter Academy

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 50.13 967th 1545 37.4%
2007 63.78 631st 1565 59.7%
2008 62.95 685th 1577 56.6%
2009 66.43 627th 1589 60.5%
2010 50.99 1041st 1552 32.9%
2011 57.37 850th 1552 45.2%
2012 51.20 812th 1566 48.1%
2013 52.20 794th 1563 49.2%
2014 59.07 654th 1533 57.3%
2015 53.12 754th 1580 52.3%
2016 52.37 748th 1548 51.7%
2017 48.49 708th 1466 51.7%
2018 53.02 741st 1448 48.8%
2019 49.63 672nd 1408 52.3%
2021 49.99 516th 1153 55.2%
2022 63.58 435th 1344 67.6%
2023 64.29 486th 1470 66.9%
2024 53.72 654th 1486 56.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.38 808th 1397 42.2%
2019 40.11 701st 1134 38.2%
2021 41.21 449th 749 40.1%
2022 65.34 296th 1099 73.1%
2023 64.15 380th 1350 71.9%
2024 54.65 554th 1381 59.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.82 882nd 1443 38.9%
2019 42.34 683rd 1171 41.7%
2021 48.76 426th 902 52.8%
2022 56.38 428th 1106 61.3%
2023 53.59 551st 1321 58.3%
2024 57.26 511th 1342 61.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.02 550th 1446 62.0%
2019 43.73 669th 1196 44.1%
2021 42.67 503rd 915 45.0%
2022 57.06 449th 1139 60.6%
2023 65.69 409th 1334 69.3%
2024 42.89 734th 1347 45.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school African American students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 65.94 101st 475 78.7%
2019 64.31 60th 212 71.7%
2021 72.56 9th 51 82.4%
2023 79.40 37th 321 88.5%
2024 62.31 89th 348 74.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.26 436th 1253 65.2%
2019 63.81 371st 1128 67.1%
2021 63.59 317th 1005 68.5%
2022 64.56 351st 1102 68.1%
2023 66.94 346th 1198 71.1%
2024 63.62 398th 1204 66.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Paragon Charter Academy

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Rank History for all middle school students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 45.56 573rd 806 28.9%
2007 62.80 368th 823 55.3%
2008 67.59 303rd 839 63.9%
2009 66.52 351st 847 58.6%
2010 57.73 493rd 851 42.1%
2011 55.70 493rd 858 42.5%
2012 52.00 443rd 900 50.8%
2013 44.84 538th 919 41.5%
2014 67.65 263rd 921 71.4%
2015 66.67 264th 919 71.3%
2016 62.86 293rd 894 67.2%
2017 63.24 244th 821 70.3%
2018 56.51 378th 838 54.9%
2019 60.49 267th 792 66.3%
2021 70.72 145th 675 78.5%
2022 77.39 126th 776 83.8%
2023 89.79 76th 883 91.4%
2024 85.90 94th 897 89.5%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.86 310th 815 62.0%
2019 62.87 194th 672 71.1%
2021 69.04 103rd 523 80.3%
2022 80.50 73rd 691 89.4%
2023 88.77 36th 825 95.6%
2024 86.26 51st 836 93.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.21 451st 794 43.2%
2019 37.62 406th 658 38.3%
2021 66.57 119th 521 77.2%
2022 78.26 92nd 657 86.0%
2023 90.04 49th 770 93.6%
2024 83.70 86th 771 88.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 63.05 266th 797 66.6%
2019 69.81 155th 639 75.7%
2021 73.67 99th 540 81.7%
2022 66.65 162nd 658 75.4%
2023 83.82 102nd 776 86.9%
2024 80.13 117th 786 85.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.34 60th 366 83.6%
2019 69.67 44th 196 77.6%
2023 87.61 23rd 310 92.6%
2024 90.91 12th 300 96.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Paragon Charter Academy

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.51 282nd 678 58.4%
2019 78.08 104th 624 83.3%
2021 88.42 45th 577 92.2%
2022 90.56 46th 638 92.8%
2023 93.05 32nd 688 95.3%
2024 86.03 74th 701 89.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Paragon Charter Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, August 22, 2021

Open Quote My child started at Paragon as a kindergartener in Fall 2020. The rules about in-person, hybrid, and online schooling were rapidly changing and I was beyond stressed. I cannot tell you how happy I am with the way Paragon stepped up for the plate during this time. The staff did a wonderful job of keeping my kiddo safe while also giving him a great education. The principal is very hands-on and present. Shoutout to Mr. Reigle for being my sons favorite teacher and for getting him excited about computers. We toured 6 elementary schools in and Jackson before deciding on Paragon. I can say with confidence that this school is the best choice for families living in the Jackson Public District. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Paragon Charter Academy

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1999 266 58 4 9 2 n/a n/a 0 339
2000 377 126 7 14 8 n/a n/a 0 532
2001 344 118 9 8 8 n/a n/a 0 487
2002 431 103 9 12 8 n/a n/a 0 563
2003 431 103 9 12 8 n/a n/a 0 563
2004 388 98 15 11 6 n/a n/a 0 518
2005 433 102 22 17 4 n/a n/a 0 578
2006 485 105 21 18 5 n/a n/a 0 634
2007 500 59 26 9 0 n/a n/a 46 640
2008 519 100 17 26 5 n/a n/a 0 667
2009 500 111 29 29 4 n/a n/a 0 673
2010 464 118 26 32 4 n/a n/a 0 644
2011 495 100 23 27 2 1 38 0 686
2012 454 125 21 36 2 1 46 0 685
2013 430 135 21 42 1 1 55 0 685
2014 425 127 25 39 3 1 61 0 681
2015 393 136 21 41 3 1 58 0 653
2016 381 193 30 41 1 0 69 0 715
2017 342 185 30 50 1 1 67 0 676
2018 312 189 30 46 0 0 63 0 640
2019 316 181 53 43 1 0 84 0 678
2020 300 172 49 38 0 0 79 0 638
2021 297 170 56 46 1 0 82 0 652
2022 306 159 44 46 2 0 83 0 640
2023 292 150 44 54 2 0 78 0 620
2024 266 136 49 68 1 0 84 0 604

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Paragon Charter Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 339 17.0 19.9 14.2
2000 532 25.0 21.3 20.7
2001 487 33.5 14.5 7.8
2002 563 n/a n/a 22.4
2003 563 n/a n/a 22.4
2004 518 33.8 15.3 29
2005 578 35.5 16.3 31.1
2006 634 28.2 22.5 40.1
2007 640 36.6 17.5 44.4
2008 667 38.2 17.5 45.7
2009 673 36.9 18.2 48.1
2010 644 35.8 17.9 51.4
2011 686 34.9 19.6 54.8
2012 685 35.2 19.4 56.2
2013 685 36.3 18.8 56.1
2014 681 34.8 19.5 53.7
2015 653 34.0 19.2 51.3
2016 715 35.0 20.4 57.9
2017 676 34.1 19.8 56.8
2018 640 34.2 18.6 63
2019 678 36.3 18.6 62.1
2020 638 35.8 17.7 59.2
2021 652 34.7 18.7 59.4
2022 640 36.2 17.6 61.6
2023 620 37.4 16.5 66.8
2024 604 35.8 16.8 68.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Paragon Charter Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1999 339 17.0 19.9 14.2
2000 532 25.0 21.3 20.7
2001 487 33.5 14.5 7.8
2002 563 n/a n/a 22.4
2003 563 n/a n/a 22.4
2004 518 33.8 15.3 29
2005 578 35.5 16.3 31.1
2006 634 28.2 22.5 40.1
2007 640 36.6 17.5 44.4
2008 667 38.2 17.5 45.7
2009 673 36.9 18.2 48.1
2010 644 35.8 17.9 51.4
2011 686 34.9 19.6 54.8
2012 685 35.2 19.4 56.2
2013 685 36.3 18.8 56.1
2014 681 34.8 19.5 53.7
2015 653 34.0 19.2 51.3
2016 715 35.0 20.4 57.9
2017 676 34.1 19.8 56.8
2018 640 34.2 18.6 63
2019 678 36.3 18.6 62.1
2020 638 35.8 17.7 59.2
2021 652 34.7 18.7 59.4
2022 640 36.2 17.6 61.6
2023 620 37.4 16.5 66.8
2024 604 35.8 16.8 68.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Paragon Charter Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $708 (7.4%) $8,859 (92.6%) $9,567
2020 $571 (6.0%) $8,989 (94.0%) $9,560
2021 $971 (9.9%) $8,844 (90.1%) $9,815
2022 $2,120 (18.5%) $9,367 (81.5%) $11,487
2023 $1,329 (11.4%) $10,338 (88.6%) $11,667

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Paragon Charter Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 672nd of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 486th of 1470 Elementary schools
 14.7%
Ranks 267th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 76th of 883 Middle schools
 25.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)50.652.6
 2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)50.652.6
 2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)40.557.7
 17.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)40.557.7
 17.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)55.444.8
 10.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)55.444.8
 10.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)5339.7
 13.3%
   4th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)5339.7
 13.3%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)38.851.9
 13.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)38.851.9
 13.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)28.830.4
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)28.830.4
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Paragon Charter Academy)11.316.5
 5.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Paragon Charter Academy)11.316.5
 5.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)5058.5
 8.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)5058.5
 8.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)38.554.7
 16.2%
   6th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)38.554.7
 16.2%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)57.469.4
 12%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)57.469.4
 12%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)31.357.1
 25.8%
   7th Grade Math (Paragon Charter Academy)31.357.1
 25.8%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Paragon Charter Academy)30.634.8
 4.2%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Paragon Charter Academy)30.634.8
 4.2%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)61.280.4
 19.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Paragon Charter Academy)61.280.4
 19.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Paragon Charter Academy)40.852.2
 11.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Paragon Charter Academy)40.852.2
 11.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students678620
 8.6%
African American181150
 17.1%
American Indian12
 100%
Asian5344
 17%
Hispanic4354
 25.6%
Pacific Islander00
White316292
 7.6%
Two or More Races8478
 7.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.1%66.8%
 4.7%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Paragon Charter Academy

In the 2023-24 school year, 604 students attended Paragon Charter Academy.

Students at Paragon Charter Academy are 44% White, 23% African American, 14% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic, 8% Asian.

Paragon Charter Academy ranks 654th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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