Summary:
Big Pine Key, Florida, is home to a single public elementary school, Big Pine Academy, which serves students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the highly-rated Monroe County school district.
Big Pine Academy is a standout performer, achieving elite academic results despite its small size of just 89 students. The school has shown a dramatic upward trend, improving its state ranking from the 76th percentile in 2022-2023 to a projected 91st percentile for 2025-2026, placing it in the top 9% of all Florida elementary schools. Test scores consistently outpace both district and state averages by wide margins; for example, 3rd-grade math proficiency is 89% compared to 66% statewide, and 4th-grade English Language Arts proficiency is 82% versus 60% statewide. The school also has a low rate of economic disadvantage, with only 14.61% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.
While the academic picture is overwhelmingly positive, there are a few areas of note. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 22.9% is a concern, as it means more than one in five students is missing substantial school time, even though this is better than the state average of 31.4%. Additionally, while math is a clear strength, there is a notable 16-point drop in proficiency from 3rd grade (89%) to 4th grade (73%), suggesting a potential area for targeted improvement. Overall, Big Pine Academy provides an exceptional, high-performing learning environment that far exceeds typical expectations for a school of its size.
Thank you for your feedback!