Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy Prev Pk-5

Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy Prev Pk-5 in New Port Richey, FL, is a specialized Prekindergarten (PK) center within the Pasco district, serving just 84 students in a high-needs area where 64% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school faces significant challenges, most notably a chronic absenteeism crisis that has persisted for years, with rates above 36% since 2019—far exceeding district and state averages. This directly impacts academic outcomes, as seen in the 2025-2026 school year where proficiency rates dropped to near zero across all subjects and grades, including 0% in 5th-grade science and math. While the school invests heavily in its students, spending over $11,700 per pupil and maintaining a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio, these resources have not yet translated into improved attendance or academic performance. The school was formerly a full PK-5 elementary school but now focuses exclusively on early learning, though test data for older grades suggests a very small cohort of students remains.

Compared to the Pasco district and Florida state averages, where proficiency rates hover around 60%, Mittye P. Locke's scores are dramatically lower. The school's high spending and low student-teacher ratio indicate a strong commitment to supporting its students, but the absenteeism problem appears to be negating these efforts. For parents, the most critical takeaway is that the school is in a state of acute academic distress, with attendance being the primary issue that must be addressed for any meaningful improvement to occur.