That is close to the tipping point where the poverty starts to impact the school and the outcomes of other kids. 40% is where most studies recommend staying below.

Ross was 30+% FARMS a few years back eg. 2012/13 when were there. It’s was a great school then as it is now. Though less diverse now.

Ross is 12% FARMS
http://profiles.dcps.dc.gov/scorecard/Ross+Elementary+School

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is the % FARMS synonymous with % economically disadvantaged? (If so, our school is 99% and doing a wonderful job teaching students despite the extra challenges most face.)

I don't think it's as hard to qualify for FARMS as it is to qualify for other definitions of economically disadvantaged. But the 99% figure is based on community eligibility and having enough kids qualifying to stop keeping track and just give free meals to everyone. Your real percentage is likely much less. Look up your school budget on dcpsdatacenter.com.

Ah, thank you. This makes more sense than the 99%, especially as the school is attracting more and more gentrifying families in the area. It's a charter school so I can't see the budget data on that website but your explanation still makes sense.

Nonetheless, the fretting over 35% free or reduced price lunch seems all the more silly to me given what I've learned in this thread.

Anonymous wrote:Is the % FARMS synonymous with % economically disadvantaged? (If so, our school is 99% and doing a wonderful job teaching students despite the extra challenges most face.)

Econ disadvantaged students are poorer than students who qualifiy for free or reduced meal subsidies (FARMS).

Anonymous wrote:Is the % FARMS synonymous with % economically disadvantaged? (If so, our school is 99% and doing a wonderful job teaching students despite the extra challenges most face.)

I don't think it's as hard to qualify for FARMS as it is to qualify for other definitions of economically disadvantaged. But the 99% figure is based on community eligibility and having enough kids qualifying to stop keeping track and just give free meals to everyone. Your real percentage is likely much less. Look up your school budget on dcpsdatacenter.com.

Is the % FARMS synonymous with % economically disadvantaged? (If so, our school is 99% and doing a wonderful job teaching students despite the extra challenges most face.)

It would be more horrible for 34% of the students to be hungry.

Anonymous wrote:We're new to public...what does this mean? Is it horrible?

What it means is that 1/3 of the students qualify for the Free and Reduced Meals program. When the rate is 40% or higher, the school qualifies for title I funds - additional money from the federal government to support learning.

People sometimes use it as an indicator for other things......

An indicator of how the school is teaching all students is to look at PARCC scores and to see how children who are FARMs score on the exam vs the rest of the peer group.

Only if you think there is something horrible about low- and moderate-income children. Please think about the language you are using. Many of us here are working hard to help our schools and the kids, who never asked to be low-income and are generally delightful.

We are very happily at a school with a much higher percentage.

I think our school is around 25% and is totally fine. 34% is fine too

No, it doesn’t work that way. Ross Elementary is one of the best schools in the city and has 25% FARMs.

Not horrible at all. But it is low enough thay your school will miss out on some funding that goes to schools with a higher rate l.

No. % FARMs does not define the success of a school. Look at data on outcomes, like proficiency standards.

We're new to public...what does this mean? Is it horrible?