Summary
Comstock Elementary School in Miami, FL, serves 597 students from Pre-K through 5th grade in a predominantly low-income community, with 66% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The school is part of the Miami-Dade district and has faced significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools over the past five years, currently sitting at the 14th percentile. Its academic performance is notably below nearby schools, with only 27% of 5th graders proficient in English Language Arts, compared to 67% at Kelsey L. Pharr Elementary School and 61% at Mater Academy of International Studies.
The most pressing issue at Comstock is chronic absenteeism, which reached 32.1% in 2023-2024 and peaked at 41.8% in 2021-2022. This rate is significantly higher than at nearby schools like Mater Academy of International Studies (17.3%) and Kelsey L. Pharr (25.8%), suggesting that getting students to class is a primary barrier to learning. Despite these challenges, Comstock shows a relative strength in math, with proficiency rates (55% in 3rd grade, 58% in 4th grade) notably higher than its ELA scores, though still below district averages. The school also saw a remarkable one-year jump in 5th-grade science proficiency, from 29% to 52%, offering a potential model for improvement in other subjects.
Interestingly, Comstock spends $11,761 per student, less than many higher-performing neighbors like Kelsey L. Pharr ($15,735) and Earlington Heights Elementary School ($18,221), but more than Mater Academy of International Studies ($9,952), which dramatically outperforms it. This spending paradox indicates that resource allocation, not just funding, is key. The success of nearby schools like Kelsey L. Pharr, which serves a similar demographic, proves that improvement is possible, highlighting the urgent need for Comstock to address attendance and build on its math and science strengths.
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