Summary:
Labelle, Florida is home to four elementary schools serving grades PK-5 (with one exception), split between the low-performing Hendry district and the high-performing Glades district, creating a stark contrast in educational outcomes within the same city.
The standout school is West Glades School, the only school in Labelle to earn a 4-star rating and rank in the 80th percentile statewide. It serves grades PK-8 and offers advanced coursework like Algebra 1, far outperforming its peers. In contrast, Country Oaks Elementary and Edward A. Upthegrove Elementary both earn only 2-star ratings and rank in the 37th-38th percentile, struggling to meet state averages. The most dramatic turnaround is Labelle Elementary School, which jumped from the 8th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 58th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating. Notably, Labelle Elementary has the highest per-student spending ($13,485) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (16.5:1), yet it is not the top performer, while Country Oaks spends the least ($9,932) but still outperforms Edward A. Upthegrove, which spends over $2,000 more per student.
Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue for the three Hendry district schools, with rates ranging from 32.2% to 37.4%, all above the state average of 31.4%. In contrast, West Glades School has a much lower rate of 23.5%, correlating with its strong academic performance. A promising finding is Labelle Elementary's math program, where 3rd and 4th graders scored 72% and 78% proficient in 2024-2025, far exceeding state averages, suggesting a replicable model for success. Overall, district affiliation is the strongest predictor of performance, with Glades County providing better outcomes than Hendry County.
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