Eric White Elementary, Selma CA - Test Scores & Data

Original Research by School Decision on Eric White Elementary

Eric White Elementary is a kindergarten through sixth-grade public school in Selma, serving a student body that is almost entirely Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. Nearly all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school sits in the lower range of academic proficiency within Fresno County's elementary schools.

The most recent state testing data shows proficiency rates that are below the midpoint compared to other county districts. In English language arts, overall proficiency across the tested grades sits in the low-to-mid range, with the highest performance in third grade. Math proficiency is markedly lower, declining sharply as students move through the grades, particularly from fourth grade onward. Science proficiency, measured only in fifth grade through the state science assessment, is also low. These results suggest that students face sustained difficulty meeting state standards, especially in mathematics, and that the challenge intensifies in the upper elementary years.

The school enrolled a typical elementary enrollment for its grade band across kindergarten through sixth grade, with roughly balanced cohorts. The student population is demographically concentrated, with families drawn almost entirely from the local Hispanic community and with economic hardship nearly universal. This reflects Selma's composition as a small agricultural community in Fresno County where most working families have low incomes. A parent may want to look into further detail with the school about what academic supports are in place for students who are not yet meeting proficiency, and whether the school offers any enrichment or intervention programs tailored to address the gaps evident in state testing.

The district has undertaken curriculum changes relevant to this school. For the 2024-25 school year, Selma Unified adopted a new K-5 mathematics curriculum from Illustrative Mathematics, replacing the prior approach. The new program emphasizes deep understanding and explanation of mathematical thinking rather than procedural computation alone. This represents a pedagogical shift across all elementary classrooms in the district, including Eric White. Students are now expected to explain their reasoning using academic vocabulary, a change that may require time for both teachers and students to adjust.

At the district level, voters approved a general obligation bond measure in November 2022 that will fund modernization of aging school facilities. Because these bonds are repaid through property taxes on homes within the district, families should understand that a move to the area carries a lasting property tax obligation for school improvement, in addition to the base property tax rates. The district has also expanded family support services, operating a Family Resource Center and community school liaisons, and plans to open its first district-operated preschool program, broadening early-learning options for families with young children.

Housing in Selma's area is modestly priced relative to California overall, with median home values well below the state benchmark and rents similarly affordable. This affordability may offset the additional bond tax obligation for families moving to the area, though both figures should be weighed carefully against the lower-performing academic results at this school.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 335%

School 35% · District 30% · ▲ 5 pts above district

▼ 8 pts below state median · ▼ 6 pts below county median

Grade 418%

School 18% · District 25% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 19 pts below state median · ▼ 16 pts below county median

Grade 521%

School 21% · District 20% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 9 pts below state median · ▼ 7 pts below county median

Grade 614%

School 14% · District 24% · ▼ 11 pts below district

▼ 17 pts below state median · ▼ 16 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 340%

School 40% · District 36% · ▲ 4 pts above district

even with state median · ▲ 1 pts above county median

Grade 431%

School 31% · District 30% · ▲ 1 pts above district

▼ 11 pts below state median · ▼ 6 pts below county median

Grade 538%

School 38% · District 42% · ▼ 3 pts below district

▼ 7 pts below state median · ▼ 4 pts below county median

Grade 632%

School 32% · District 39% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 12 pts below state median · ▼ 10 pts below county median

Science

Grade 514%

School 14% · District 22% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 8 pts below county median

This schoolSelma Unified, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.