Education
What is a High Poverty School?
A High Poverty School is an educational institution where a significant percentage of the student population comes from low-income families. The exact threshold for this designation can vary, but it’s often defined as schools where 50% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs.
Characteristics of High Poverty Schools:
- Resource challenges: Often face limitations in funding, materials, and staffing.
- Diverse student needs: May serve students with varied academic, social, and emotional needs.
- Community impact: Often play a crucial role in their local communities beyond education.
- Achievement gaps: May struggle with lower academic performance compared to more affluent schools.
- Policy focus: Often the target of educational policies and interventions aimed at equity.
Addressing the unique challenges of high poverty schools is a key concern in educational policy and practice, with efforts focused on providing equitable resources and opportunities for all students.