Why this matters
Demographic composition shapes every other number on a school profile. High-poverty schools face structural headwinds — not because of students themselves, but because of funding gaps, staff turnover, and reduced access to enrichment. The Free/Reduced Lunch rate is the most-cited poverty proxy in US K-12 data. Trend it alongside teacher turnover and chronic absence for the clearest picture.
What we're seeing
At Girls Academic Leadership Acad Dr. Michelle King Sch STEM, student body composition has risen 23% over the 5-year window — from 46% in 2020 to 56% in 2023. The gap vs US average of 52% (FRL) has narrowed — from 6% above in 2020 to 4% above in 2023.