A Tale of Two Schools

California is #32 among the 50 states in per pupil expenditures— but the reality is worse than that. Teacher salaries are a big component of actual per pupil expenditures per school. Because new teachers are paid less, and the schools in low income neighborhoods have the most vacancies, the schools that serve families experiencing poverty have lower per pupil expenditure rates! 

Nystrom Elementary is in West Richmond, in WCCUSD, a couple miles from the Richmond Refinery and 100% free and reduced lunch. The total expenditures per student listed on their SARC is $6,645. Nystrom’s average fourth grade class had 33 students. Nystrom had 11% of students at or above grade level in math.

Edna Maguire Elementary School is in Mill Valley in Marin. The total expenditures per student listed on their SARC is $15,048 per student. Edna Maguire’s average fourth grade class had 25 students. Edna Maguire had 86% of students at or above grade level in math.