Summary:
There are four elementary schools serving grades K-6 in Palatka, Florida, all part of the Putnam County School District, which ranks in the bottom 11th percentile statewide and faces significant systemic challenges.
The Children's Reading Center is the clear standout, ranking in the 81st percentile (4-star) for 2025-2026, a stark contrast to the other three schools. It achieves 77% average proficiency across subjects, dramatically outperforming district and state averages—for example, 97% of its 6th graders are proficient in math versus 60% statewide. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 26.7% is better than the state average of 31.4% and less than half the district average of 57.5%. In comparison, William D. Moseley Elementary School has the highest chronic absenteeism (60.9%) and lowest proficiency (36%), earning a 0-star rating for two consecutive years. Kelley Smith Elementary School (51% proficient) and James A. Long Elementary School (47% proficient) also struggle, with absenteeism rates near 56%.
Per-student spending is nearly identical across all four schools (ranging from $10,021 to $10,661), eliminating funding as a primary cause for the performance gap. While The Children's Reading Center has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (37.82%), it still serves a significant low-income population, proving that high poverty does not dictate low performance. The three lower-performing schools show occasional bright spots—such as James A. Long's 58% proficiency in 5th grade science—but lack consistency. The data strongly suggests that addressing chronic absenteeism is the most critical intervention needed for Kelley Smith, James A. Long, and William D. Moseley, as it correlates directly with their academic struggles.
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