Summary:
The city of Bushnell, Florida, is served by five schools within the Sumter school district, including one elementary school, one high school, and three alternative programs, with a total enrollment of 1,953 students.
The traditional schools in Bushnell show a clear divide in performance. South Sumter High School stands out as a strong performer with a 97.6% graduation rate, well above state averages, and solid proficiency in Biology and English Language Arts. However, it struggles significantly in Algebra 1, where only 34% of students are proficient compared to the state average of 63%. Bushnell Elementary School is a consistent performer, meeting or exceeding state averages in math and reading, with a notable strength in 5th-grade science (70% proficient). In stark contrast, Sumter Prep Academy faces severe challenges, with a 0% graduation rate, a 79.6% chronic absenteeism rate, and critically low test scores across all subjects, despite spending over $28,000 per student—more than double the spending at the traditional schools.
Two small virtual programs offer a unique success story. Sumter Virtual Franchise achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% chronic absenteeism, while Sumter County Virtual Instruction Program also reports no absenteeism, suggesting these models work well for a specific, motivated student population. A key takeaway for parents is that chronic absenteeism is a district-wide issue, with both traditional schools exceeding the state average of 31.4%. This data reveals a "two worlds" system in Bushnell: high-performing traditional schools alongside a resource-intensive alternative school facing deep academic and attendance hurdles, meaning school choice is critical for matching a child's needs.
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