James S. Hunt Elementary School

James S. Hunt Elementary School in Coral Springs, FL, is a public school serving 482 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the Broward County School District, and it is currently on a strong upward trajectory after a challenging period.

Hunt Elementary has shown impressive momentum, climbing from a low point in the 2022-2023 school year to a 3-star rating (52nd percentile) for the 2025-2026 school year. This recovery is a positive sign for families. However, the school faces distinct challenges compared to its neighbors. For instance, while Forest Hills Elementary is less than a mile away and serves a similar percentage of students from low-income households, Forest Hills achieves significantly higher test scores. This suggests that factors like instructional quality and school culture can make a big difference, and Hunt is working to close that gap. The school also has a high chronic absenteeism rate of 27.1%, which is a key area of focus, especially when compared to schools like Imagine School At Broward (1.3% absenteeism).

Academically, math is a clear strength at Hunt, with 4th and 5th-grade proficiency rates nearly matching the district average. The most critical area for improvement is English Language Arts (ELA), where scores lag behind the district in every grade level. For example, 3rd-grade ELA proficiency is 54% compared to the district's 64%. The school also experienced a notable "5th-grade slump" in the previous year, though scores have since recovered. With 60.58% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, the school serves a predominantly low-income population, a factor that often correlates with additional needs. Despite these hurdles, the school's consistent improvement over the last three years indicates that recent strategies are beginning to take effect, making it a school to watch for families seeking a community-focused environment with a clear path of progress.