Florida A&m University Developmental Research School

Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS) is a K-12 alternative school in Tallahassee, FL, serving 519 students within the Famu Lab School district, and it stands out for achieving a perfect 100% graduation rate despite every single student being eligible for free or reduced lunch.

This school presents a compelling paradox: it excels at getting students to graduate, but its standardized test scores often fall below state averages. For example, only 33% of students were proficient in Algebra 1 compared to the state's 63%, and just 40% of third graders met ELA benchmarks versus 60% statewide. This suggests the school prioritizes student persistence and support systems to ensure students complete their diplomas, even if they haven't fully mastered grade-level content. The school also faces a chronic absenteeism rate of 34.7%, higher than the state average, yet it still manages to graduate its students at an impressive rate. Its per-student spending of $9,729 is lower than nearby Florida State University School (FSUS), which spends $10,055 per student and serves a much lower-poverty population.

Comparing FAMU DRS to other local schools highlights its unique mission. While Florida State University School (FSUS) has a low poverty rate of 22.96% and scores in the top 3% of the state, FAMU DRS serves a 100% low-income student body and achieves a higher graduation rate than FSUS's 96.8%. This contrast underscores how FAMU DRS's success in graduating its students is a remarkable feat of student support. The school's academic performance can be volatile from year to year, a common issue in small schools where a single class can skew results, but its consistent ability to keep students on track for a diploma remains its defining strength.