Hamilton

The Hamilton County School District in Florida serves 1,588 students across two public schools—Hamilton County High School and Hamilton County Elementary School—and is ranked 66th out of 70 districts in the state, reflecting significant academic challenges.

The standout school in the district is Hamilton County Elementary School, which has shown remarkable improvement. Between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, proficiency rates jumped dramatically in nearly every subject—for example, 5th Grade Science soared from 21% to 52% and 5th Grade Math from 27% to 48%. This turnaround earned the school a 2-star rating and moved it from the 16th to the 33rd percentile statewide. In contrast, Hamilton County High School presents a paradox: it maintains a strong 92.9% graduation rate (above state average), yet its academic proficiency remains low, with only 28% of 7th graders proficient in Math and 33% in 9th Grade ELA. The high school’s state ranking has stagnated in the 1-star range for three years.

Chronic absenteeism is the district’s most pressing issue, affecting 49.4% of high school students and 42.2% of elementary students—far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. Both schools serve high-poverty populations, with 82.95% of elementary and 72.28% of high school students receiving free or reduced lunch. While the elementary school excels in early-grade Math (3rd grade at 67% and 4th grade at 68%, both above state averages), science scores are a critical weakness district-wide, with only 23% of 8th graders proficient. The elementary school’s recent gains offer a hopeful sign, but the high school’s stagnant scores and high absenteeism suggest that foundational improvements are not yet carrying through to older students.