Summary:
Hobe Sound, Florida, is home to two public elementary schools, Sea Wind Elementary School and Hobe Sound Elementary School, both serving grades PK through 5 within the Martin County School District.
Hobe Sound Elementary School stands out as the stronger performer, showing a clear upward trend. In the 2025-2026 school year, it outperformed Sea Wind Elementary in six out of seven tested subject-grade combinations, including a notable 55% proficiency in 5th Grade Science compared to Sea Wind's 44%. Its state ranking has improved to the 42nd percentile, while Sea Wind's ranking has declined to the 25th percentile. Interestingly, Sea Wind Elementary spends $897 more per student and has a lower student-teacher ratio (15.2:1 vs. 17.1:1), yet it consistently underperforms. This suggests that factors like school culture and instructional quality may be more critical than spending alone. Both schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (62-68% free/reduced lunch), but Hobe Sound Elementary achieves better outcomes, demonstrating that socioeconomic status is not destiny.
Both schools excel in early literacy, exceeding district and state averages in 3rd Grade ELA. However, Sea Wind Elementary shows a dramatic "4th grade slump," with proficiency dropping 24 points in ELA and 27 points in math between 3rd and 4th grade, suggesting a potential curriculum gap. Hobe Sound Elementary also has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (21.9% vs. 27.9%), indicating a more engaged student body. Overall, Hobe Sound Elementary is the stronger choice for consistent academic growth, while Sea Wind Elementary may benefit from district intervention to address its declining performance and transition challenges.
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