Summary:
The city of Canal Point, Florida, is served by a single public elementary school, K. E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary, which educates 283 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade as part of the Palm Beach school district.
This school stands out for its exceptionally high level of economic disadvantage, with 88.34% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. To support this high-needs population, the school spends a substantial $21,918 per student and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1. However, the most critical issue is a chronic absenteeism rate of 53.1% for the 2023-2024 school year—more than double the district rate of 23.4% and significantly higher than the state average of 31.4%. This directly impacts academic performance, as the school's state ranking has been steadily declining over three years, from the 21st percentile to the 16th percentile, earning a 1-star rating each year.
Academically, test scores are generally below state averages. For the 2025-2026 school year, English Language Arts proficiency ranges from 30% in 3rd grade to 60% in 5th grade, with only 5th grade meeting the state average of 61%. Math proficiency ranges from 38% in 3rd grade to 55% in 4th grade, all below state averages of 62-66%. A notable gap exists in 5th grade science, where only 34% are proficient compared to the state average of 60%. The 5th grade ELA score is a bright spot that warrants further investigation, as it suggests a potentially effective program or teacher that could be replicated. The school's immediate priority must be a comprehensive strategy to improve student attendance, as this is the root cause of its low and declining performance.
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