West Campus may lose its high status and national ranking
Will West Campus lose it’s national and state rankings due to low test scores and poor performance?
As of 2024, West Campus High School is ranked the #1 school in the Sacramento Metro Area, #17 in California, and #142 in the country. For many years it has been known as one of the best schools in the city and the school itself has been proud of its status. However, recent trends suggest an unfortunate reality. West Campus may be declining academically, losing its #1 spot and other accolades. These trends can be seen nationwide, and they raise questions about the future of education and what can be done to prevent them.
Lower test scores
In January, the Los Angeles Times reported that Reading and Math test scores have declined nationwide. Peggy G. Carr, the commissioner for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) stated, “Where there are signs of recovery, they are mostly in math and largely driven by higher-performing students. Lower-performing students are struggling, especially in reading.”. While test scores do not truly showcase how successful students are, they are still an important metric which many institutions use to judge a student’s ability. A decline in test scores suggests a decline in student ability.
Students aren’t paying attention
Another trend prevalent in not just West Campus, but schools across the country, is a lack of focus in students. In 2024, NCES wrote that one quarter of public schools in America reported low focus as having a significant negative effect on learning. Most teachers blame cell phones for students’ lack of attention. This has even reached state legislatures. In September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the “Phone-Free School Act”, aimed at limiting cell phone usage. The governor’s official website states, “A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers report cell phone distractions as a major problem. Common Sense Media found that 97% of students use their phones during the school day for a median of 43 minutes. Combined with the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning about the risks of social media, it is urgent to provide reasonable guardrails for smartphone use in schools”. California is one of the many states that has planned or started implementing restrictions on cell phone usage in schools, alongside Florida, Texas, Oregon, Minnesota, and many more.
Mental Health
Mental health also has a huge impact on student achievement. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, “Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association.”. A CDC report found that in 2023, 40% of US high school students experienced persistent feeling of sadness or hopelessness, and 20% of students reported considering suicide. More and more high school students are experiencing mental health issues, and their performances are suffering because of it.
Potential solutions (and the problems that come with them)
Low test scores and inattentiveness contribute heavily to a national decline in student performance, however there are potential solutions. Companies such as Yondr have created lockable pouches for schools to put students’ cell phones in. However these pouches have additional problems that arise with their usage. While social media can be damaging to student mental health, for others it can be a safe space and a source of comfort. Vox reports “Meanwhile, for LGBTQIA+ teens and others from marginalized groups, “social media can be a place where they find acceptance and peer connection within their identities,” Moreno said”. When it comes to mental health, schools could have more mental health support at their campuses. However at schools with lower funding, such as West Campus, providing mental health support could be a challenge.
After the pandemic, U.S schools have experienced new challenges and problems. Increasing mental issues and a decline in student achievement have become most prevalent. Some schools have tried to fix the problems, however others have arisen from their efforts. While West Campus has felt the negative effects other schools have, it’s up to the student body to decide whether the school will lose its prestigious status.
