Summary:
The city of Mayo, Florida, is served by two public schools within the Lafayette County School District: Lafayette High School (grades 6-12) and Lafayette Elementary School (grades PK-5), with a combined enrollment of 1,152 students.
Lafayette High School stands out as a high-performing institution, earning a consistent 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% of Florida high schools. Its 96.5% graduation rate significantly exceeds the state average of 92.2%, and it boasts strong results in Civics (84% proficient vs. 77% state average) and 8th-grade Science (69% vs. 52% state average). However, a dramatic drop in 8th-grade math proficiency from 80% to 11% between school years warrants further investigation. In contrast, Lafayette Elementary School is a solid, above-average school with a 4-star rating and exceptional 5th-grade Science scores (85% proficient vs. 60% state average). A key difference is chronic absenteeism: the elementary school has a high rate of 36.8%, while the high school’s rate is a lower 28.2%.
Both schools achieve above-average academic results despite serving a student population with significant economic disadvantage (55-65% free/reduced lunch eligibility), indicating effective teaching and leadership. Per-student spending is similar ($13,443 at the high school vs. $12,998 at the elementary school), though class sizes are larger at the high school (18.9:1 vs. 14:1). A notable structural feature is that there is no dedicated middle school; 6th, 7th, and 8th graders attend Lafayette High School, which likely shapes school culture and resource allocation. Overall, the district provides strong educational options, with the high school particularly excelling in graduation and civic outcomes.
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