25 Worst Performing Public Schools in the U.S.
Cassandra Hubbart, AOL
Does Your Child Go Here?
Neighborhood Scout used their patent-pending school rating algorithm to uncover and identify the 100 worst public schools in America. The calculations used to create this ranking involve the students' proficiency in reading and math as determined by the 'No Child Left Behind' state testing for each school, and the National Assessment for Educational Progress. The worst performing schools are found in 20 different states, some in inner city urban areas, and some in rural America.
Click through our gallery to see the 25 worst.
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First Up: No. 25 Worst School
Click through our gallery to see the 25 worst.
' See Full Methodology
First Up: No. 25 Worst School
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25. Milwaukee Spectrum School
Milwaukee, Wis.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 114
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 11% vs. 75%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 71%
' More on This School
Next: No. 24 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 114
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 11% vs. 75%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 71%
Next: No. 24 Worst School
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24. Fenger Academy High School
Chicago, Ill.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1126
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 58%
' More on This School
Next: No. 23 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1126
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 58%
Next: No. 23 Worst School
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23. Hope CS
Philadelphia, Pa.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 456
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 3% vs. 65%
' More on This School
Next: No. 22 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 456
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 3% vs. 65%
Next: No. 22 Worst School
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22. W.A. Perry Middle School
Columbia, S.C.
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 344
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 6)
Proficient in Math: 9% vs. 37%
Proficient in Reading: 12% vs. 31%
' More on This School
Next: No. 21 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 344
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 6)
Proficient in Math: 9% vs. 37%
Proficient in Reading: 12% vs. 31%
Next: No. 21 Worst School
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21. Englewood Technical Prep Academic HS
Chicago, Ill.
Grades Served: 10-12
Students Enrolled: 637
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 58%
' More on This School
Next: No. 20 Worst School
Grades Served: 10-12
Students Enrolled: 637
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 58%
Next: No. 20 Worst School
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20. Welcome Center @ Mifflin M.S.
Columbus, Ohio
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 148
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 72%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 80%
' More on This School
Next: No. 19 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 148
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 72%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 80%
Next: No. 19 Worst School
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19. Bus. Entrepreneurship, Science, Tech. Academy
Highland Park, Mich.
Grades Served: KG-6
Students Enrolled: 339
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 4)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 82%
Proficient in Reading: 13% vs. 83%
' More on This School
Next: No. 18 Worst School
Grades Served: KG-6
Students Enrolled: 339
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 4)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 82%
Proficient in Reading: 13% vs. 83%
Next: No. 18 Worst School
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18. Harper High School
Chicago, Ill.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1261
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 2% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 58%
' More on This School
Next: No. 17 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1261
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 2% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 58%
Next: No. 17 Worst School
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17. Lakeview Middle School
Greenville, S.C.
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 568
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 7% vs. 25%
' More on This School
Next: No. 16 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 568
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 7% vs. 25%
Next: No. 16 Worst School
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16. School Removed From Ranking
Editor's Correction:
Dorman High Freshman Campus (Roebuck, S.C.) was originally included as No. 16. based on incorrect No Child Left Behind (NCLB) raw data provided by SchoolDataDirect. Dorman should not have been included at all, because there is insufficient test data to include them, given that it's a 9th grade only school in a state where 9th graders do not take the state-specific NCLB. Our apologies to the Dorman High Freshman Campus.
Next: No. 15 Worst School
Dorman High Freshman Campus (Roebuck, S.C.) was originally included as No. 16. based on incorrect No Child Left Behind (NCLB) raw data provided by SchoolDataDirect. Dorman should not have been included at all, because there is insufficient test data to include them, given that it's a 9th grade only school in a state where 9th graders do not take the state-specific NCLB. Our apologies to the Dorman High Freshman Campus.
Next: No. 15 Worst School
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15. Vechig Himdag Mashchamakud
Sacaton, Ariz.
Grades Served: 6-12
Students Enrolled: 67
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 69%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 74%
' More on This School
Next: No. 14 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-12
Students Enrolled: 67
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 69%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 74%
Next: No. 14 Worst School
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14. Alcorn Middle School
Columbia, S.C.
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 494
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 25%
' More on This School
Next: No. 13 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 494
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 25%
Next: No. 13 Worst School
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13. Choices School
Florence, S.C.
Grades Served: 7-12
Students Enrolled: 21
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 7)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 32%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 26%
' More on This School
Next: No. 12 Worst School
Grades Served: 7-12
Students Enrolled: 21
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 7)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 32%
Proficient in Reading: 8% vs. 26%
Next: No. 12 Worst School
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12. Charleston Development Academy
Charleston, S.C.
Grades Served: KG-5
Students Enrolled: 94
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 5)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 34%
Proficient in Reading: 7% vs. 34%
' More on This School
Next: No. 11 Worst School
Grades Served: KG-5
Students Enrolled: 94
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 5)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 34%
Proficient in Reading: 7% vs. 34%
Next: No. 11 Worst School
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11. Circle of Courage Learning Center
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Grades Served: KG-8
Students Enrolled: 90
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 49%
' More on This School
Next: No. 10 Worst School
Grades Served: KG-8
Students Enrolled: 90
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 8% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 49%
Next: No. 10 Worst School
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10. Midlands Math and Business Academy
Columbia, S.C.
Grades Served: 4-8
Students Enrolled: 76
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 6)
Proficient in Math: 10% vs. 37%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 31%
' More on This School
Next: No. 9 Worst School
Grades Served: 4-8
Students Enrolled: 76
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 6)
Proficient in Math: 10% vs. 37%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 31%
Next: No. 9 Worst School
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9. Brentwood Middle School
North Charleston, S.C.
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 582
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 25%
' More on This School
Next: No. 8 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 582
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 4% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 25%
Next: No. 8 Worst School
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8. Morningside Middle School
North Charleston, S.C.
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 814
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 25%
' More on This School
Next: No. 7 Worst School
Grades Served: 6-8
Students Enrolled: 814
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 8)
Proficient in Math: 3% vs. 22%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 25%
Next: No. 7 Worst School
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7. Spring Creek Elementary
St. Francis, S.D.
Grades Served: PK-8
Students Enrolled: 92
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 5)
Proficient in Math: 0 vs. 76%
Proficient in Reading: 42% vs. 85%
' More on This School
Next: No. 6 Worst School
Grades Served: PK-8
Students Enrolled: 92
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 5)
Proficient in Math: 0 vs. 76%
Proficient in Reading: 42% vs. 85%
Next: No. 6 Worst School
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6. Robeson High School
Chicago, Ill.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1258
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 2% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 58%
' More on This School
Next: No. 5 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 1258
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 2% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 5% vs. 58%
Next: No. 5 Worst School
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5. Youthbuild Charleston Center
North Charleston, S.C.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 37
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 9)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 36%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 38%
' More on This School
Next: No. 4 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 37
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 9)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 36%
Proficient in Reading: 9% vs. 38%
Next: No. 4 Worst School
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4. HR Acad/Global Awareness HA
Milwaukee, Wis.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 120
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 5% vs. 71%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 75%
' More on This School
Next: No. 3 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 120
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 5% vs. 71%
Proficient in Reading: 0% vs. 75%
Next: No. 3 Worst School
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3. School of Humanities
Milwaukee, Wis.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 145
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 71%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 75%
' More on This School
Next: No. 2 Worst School
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 145
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 10)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 71%
Proficient in Reading: 4% vs. 75%
Next: No. 2 Worst School
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2. Kennedy/Lloyd Charter School
Aiken, S.C.
Grades Served: 5-8
Students Enrolled: 61
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 7)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 32%
Proficient in Reading: 6% vs. 26%
' More on This School
Next: No. 1 Worst School
Grades Served: 5-8
Students Enrolled: 61
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 7)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 32%
Proficient in Reading: 6% vs. 26%
Next: No. 1 Worst School
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1. Tomorrows Builders Charter School
East St. Louis, Ill.
Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 181
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 3% vs. 58%
' More on This School
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Grades Served: 9-12
Students Enrolled: 181
School's 'State Test' Scores vs. State
(Grade 11)
Proficient in Math: 0% vs. 54%
Proficient in Reading: 3% vs. 58%
' See All 100 Worst Schools
' See Full Methodology
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