Summary:
The McDonald County R-I school district in Missouri consists of 10 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 1 high school. The district faces significant challenges, with most schools lagging behind state averages in key metrics like test scores and graduation rates. However, a few standout schools, such as Rocky Comfort Elementary and Pineville Elementary, are performing well and ranking among the top schools in the state.
The district's high school, McDonald County High, has a strong 93.1% four-year graduation rate, which is above the state average. However, the district as a whole struggles with low test scores, particularly in the middle and high school grades, where proficiency rates in math and ELA are well below state averages. The district also faces high rates of chronic absenteeism, with all schools reporting a 20.5% rate, higher than the state average.
Poverty appears to be a significant factor, with the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch ranging from 48% to 83.57% across the district. This high level of economic hardship likely contributes to the academic challenges faced by many schools. The district's smaller elementary schools also tend to have higher per-student spending, but this does not necessarily translate to better outcomes. Overall, the McDonald County R-I school district faces a complex set of issues that will require a comprehensive approach to address the systemic challenges and support the success of all students.
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