High Schools in Hendry

Hendry County, Florida, is home to two public high schools, Labelle High School and Clewiston High School, serving grades 9-12 in a rural area where the Hendry district ranks in the bottom 25% of Florida districts, facing significant socioeconomic challenges with over half of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

When comparing the two schools, Labelle High School consistently outperforms Clewiston High School in academic metrics. Labelle ranks in the 44th percentile statewide (467th out of 838 schools) compared to Clewiston's 25th percentile (631st). Labelle also achieves higher proficiency rates in key subjects, such as 61% in 9th-grade English Language Arts versus Clewiston's 49%, and 32% in Algebra 1 versus 24%. However, both schools share nearly identical graduation rates (Labelle: 88.5%, Clewiston: 88.9%), which fall below the state average of 92.2%. Interestingly, Clewiston spends $1,065 more per student ($10,215 vs. $9,150) yet achieves lower test scores, and it posted a surprising 72% proficiency in Geometry—far exceeding district and state averages—despite struggling in Algebra 1.

The most pressing concern for both schools is chronic absenteeism, with rates of 42.4% at Labelle and 47.7% at Clewiston—more than double the district average of 20.1% and well above the state average of 31.4%. This crisis is likely a major driver of below-average test scores and state rankings. Additionally, while both schools boast graduation rates near 89%, their low proficiency on state assessments suggests students may graduate without the academic skills needed for college or careers, a disconnect known as "credential inflation." These challenges, combined with high poverty rates, highlight deep-rooted issues that the district must address to improve student outcomes.