Tavares Elementary School

Tavares Elementary School in Tavares, FL, is a mid-sized school serving 870 students in grades PK-5 within the Lake district, where a majority of families (58%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school has experienced a significant and sustained decline in its state ranking over the past decade, dropping from a solid 3-star rating to a 1-star rating today. A major concern is early literacy: only 32% of 3rd graders are proficient in English Language Arts, which is nearly half the district and state averages and the lowest rate among nearby schools. This "3rd grade wall" is a critical hurdle, as students must shift from learning to read to reading to learn. However, there is a bright spot in 5th grade science, where 60% of students are proficient—outperforming both the district and state averages. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is high at 37.4%, significantly more than at nearby high-performing schools like Round Lake Charter School (11.6%) and Pinecrest Academy Tavares (21.3%).

Interestingly, Tavares Elementary is located just 1.36 miles from Pinecrest Academy Tavares, a 4-star charter school where 74% of 3rd graders are proficient in ELA—a stark contrast that may draw families away. Spending per student ($11,111) is moderate, yet performance is low, suggesting resource allocation matters more than total funding. On a positive note, recent data shows improvements in nearly every subject from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, such as 5th grade math jumping from 41% to 58% proficiency, indicating that new interventions may be starting to take effect.