Summary:
The city of Crescent City, Florida, is served by two public schools within the Putnam County School District: Middleton-Burney Elementary School (grades PK-6) and Crescent City Junior-Senior High School (grades 7-12).
The most critical issue facing both schools is a severe chronic absenteeism crisis. For the 2023-2024 school year, Middleton-Burney Elementary reported a 52.4% chronic absenteeism rate, while Crescent City Junior-Senior High School had a staggering 66.3% rate—both more than double the state average of 31.4%. This likely drives the low academic proficiency scores, particularly in early grades. For instance, only 29% of 3rd graders at the elementary school are proficient in math, compared to 66% statewide. However, there is a glimmer of hope at Middleton-Burney Elementary, where 6th-grade English Language Arts proficiency improved to 59%, nearly matching the state average of 62%, suggesting effective interventions in upper elementary grades.
Despite its challenges, Crescent City Junior-Senior High School stands out for its exceptional 98.8% graduation rate, outperforming both the district (96.6%) and state (92.2%). This paradox—high graduation amid high absenteeism—suggests strong credit recovery programs. The high school also spends more per student ($12,091) than the elementary school ($10,253), yet its academic performance is not proportionally better, with 7th-grade math proficiency at just 23% and 8th-grade science at 17%. The "middle school dip" is extreme here, making the transition to junior-senior high a particularly difficult point for students. Overall, a community-wide focus on improving attendance would likely have the greatest impact on student outcomes across both schools.
Thank you for your feedback!