The reported proficiency rate for Science is 10%.
Original Research by School Decision on Roots Charter High School
Roots Charter High School is a single-school charter district serving grades nine through twelve in Salt Lake County. It is a small high school, which can offer a more intimate setting than many area public high schools. The student body is predominantly white and Hispanic, with smaller shares of students identifying as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, or two or more races.
State assessment data from a recent year shows that in math and English language arts, very few students scored at the proficient level or above. The school’s overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades placed it in the bottom quarter among Salt Lake County’s districts. Science results were somewhat higher, but still low relative to county peers. A parent should be aware that participation rates on these state tests were low, particularly in English language arts, which means the proficiency figures reflect a partial picture of the student body. The school may serve a population for whom standard assessments are not a central measure of progress, something to discuss directly with the school.
Chronic absenteeism is very high at Roots Charter High School. The share of students who miss a substantial number of school days places the school in the bottom quarter of the county on this metric as well. Chronic absenteeism on this scale is a strong signal that many students face significant barriers to regular attendance, and any family considering the school should look into the supports the school offers to address attendance and reengagement.
Per-pupil current spending is in the upper range among the county’s districts, meaning the school invests a relatively high amount per student. How that funding translates into programming or services is not visible in the available data, but it suggests that the school community has prioritized resource allocation, possibly to meet the needs of its student population.
No graduation rate data were available for this school, which is uncommon for a high school. A parent may want to ask the school directly what proportion of students graduate on time and what pathways are available after that. The district brief turned up no recent policy changes, referenda, or curriculum shifts, so the school’s direction appears to be stable in the near term.
Roots Charter High School fits a family looking for a small, charter high school environment where the student profile is diverse and the school is investing significant resources per pupil. The academic attainment on state measures is very low, and the chronic absenteeism rate is a concern that warrants direct conversation with school staff to understand the context and what supports are in place. Because key data on special education, English learner services, and free or reduced-price meal eligibility are missing, families should ask about how the school serves students who need additional academic or health-related support.
See more original research from School Decision →