Summary
Astronaut High School in Titusville, FL, serves 1,056 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Brevard County School District, with about 47% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. This school stands out for its high graduation rate of 95.5%, which exceeds both the district and state averages, yet it struggles significantly with math proficiency—only 30% of students are proficient in Algebra 1, far below the district average of 61% and the state average of 63%. This contrast suggests that while the school effectively helps students complete graduation requirements, many may not be mastering core academic content, particularly in math, which has been a chronic issue for several years.
Interestingly, Astronaut High School performs relatively well in other subjects, with 55-60% proficiency in English Language Arts and 55% in US History, indicating that its challenges are concentrated in mathematics rather than being universal. However, chronic absenteeism is elevated at 27.9%, higher than the district average of 21.1%, which likely contributes to academic struggles. When compared to its nearby neighbor, Titusville High School, which serves a similar student population just 3.5 miles away, Astronaut lags in most subjects—for example, Titusville has 64% proficiency in Biology versus Astronaut’s 52%, and 83% in US History versus 55%. This "Titusville Paradox" suggests that school-level factors like leadership and teaching quality play a key role, as both schools have similar socioeconomic profiles and spending per student.
Despite these challenges, Astronaut High School has shown a strong upward trend in graduation rates over the past five years, climbing from 83.3% to 95.5%, indicating effective strategies to keep students on track. The school also spends $11,510 per student, higher than the district average, though this investment hasn’t yet translated into higher test scores. For parents, this school offers a supportive environment for graduation but may require extra focus on math support, especially when compared to higher-performing out-of-district schools like Hagerty High School or Timber Creek High, which have much higher proficiency rates but also lower poverty levels.
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