Summary:
The city of Starke, Florida is home to 5 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. These schools serve students from prekindergarten through 12th grade and are part of the Bradford and Clay school districts.
Among the standout schools in the area, Bradford High School has shown improvement in its statewide ranking, moving from 572nd out of 807 Florida high schools in 2023-2024 to 471st out of 844 in 2024-2025. Its 89.7% four-year graduation rate is also noteworthy. Bradford Elementary School has the highest proficiency rates in math across grades 3-6, with 79% of 6th graders proficient or better in 2024-2025, and strong science performance, with 61% of 5th graders proficient or better. Starke Elementary School stands out for its high 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency, with 70% of students scoring proficient or better in 2024-2025, significantly above the state average of 57%.
However, the schools in the Bradford district consistently underperform compared to state averages on standardized tests, with proficiency rates often 10-20 percentage points below the state. Additionally, all schools in the district have a high chronic absenteeism rate of 31.4%, well above the state average. The high percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 54.68% at Bradford High School to 71.06% at Bradford Elementary School, indicate socioeconomic challenges that may be impacting student performance.
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