The Need
The Demography
According to recent census data, 34,120 people live in the area bound by w,e,n,s., 38114.
Economic:
- The average household size is 2.67.
- The median income is $21.698, but 34.9% of families earn $15,000 or less.
- 27.5% of the families live below poverty.
- 31.3% of individuals live in poverty.
- Almost 40% of households led by females are living in poverty.
- Close to 40% of those 25 years and older lack a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Education:
- 3 Schools, Melrose High, Hanley/Aspire, & Dunbar Elementary Schools serve the targeted area.
- All 3 schools struggle to meet the basic education requirements and are in the Achievement School District.
- Hanley has been acquired by a charter school management organization.
- At Hanley 95% of the student body is considered economically disadvantaged.
- At Hanley, 1 in 5 students score below proficiency in math, 1 in 4 below in reading/language.
- The school received a failing grade in all areas of the TCAP.
- On the School Improvement 2 List, 95% Dunbar’ students are considered economically disadvantaged.
- 18% of students score below proficient in math, while 31% score below in reading/language.
- The school received a failing grade in all areas of the TCAP.
- 9 out of 10 students at Melrose are considered economically disadvantaged.
- 39.5% of seniors at Melrose fail to graduate.
- Nearly 1 in 5 students drop out of Melrose before graduating.