Despite high proportions of students in poverty, Marvin High School had never been in Program Improvement status, nor had it received special funding for school underperformance. Marvin received federal Title I funding based on proportions of students in poverty, as well as approximately $1,100,000 per year in supplemental funding from the State as a Necessary Small High School (NSHS) to maintain a teaching staff of 11 fully credentialed teachers suitable for the size of the school.