Elementary Schools in Escambia

The 35 elementary schools in Escambia County, Florida, serve grades PK-5 across a diverse range of communities, from the affluent Pensacola Beach to more economically challenged areas in Pensacola and Century, and the district itself ranks in the bottom third of Florida school districts.

The district is defined by stark contrasts. At the top, Pensacola Beach Elementary School Inc is a consistent 5-star school ranking in the 96th percentile, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (7.0%) and the smallest class sizes (11.5:1 student-teacher ratio) in the district. N. B. Cook Elementary School is another standout, achieving 5-star status with a moderate poverty rate (42.64% free/reduced lunch) and a low absenteeism rate (8.6%), proving that high performance is possible in a mixed-income setting. In contrast, schools like Jackie Harris Preparatory Academy and C. A. Weis Elementary School are 0-star schools ranking in the bottom 5% statewide, plagued by extremely high chronic absenteeism (over 47%) and poverty rates (over 89%). O. J. Semmes Elementary School has the highest chronic absenteeism rate in the district at a staggering 62.3%.

The most critical insight for parents is that chronic absenteeism is the single strongest predictor of a school's performance. The five lowest-ranked schools all have absenteeism rates above 39%, while the top schools have rates below 9%. Furthermore, higher per-student spending does not guarantee better results—the three highest-spending schools (Warrington at $16,454, Lincoln Park at $14,647, and O.J. Semmes at $14,099) are all low-performing. However, there are bright spots in specific subjects; for example, Molino Park Elementary achieved 92% proficiency in 4th-grade math, and Pine Meadow Elementary School shows strong math scores (86% in 5th grade), indicating pockets of excellent instruction that could be replicated across the district.