Summary:
The four elementary schools in Suwannee County, serving grades PK through 5, face significant challenges, with a district-wide chronic absenteeism rate of 46%—well above the state average of 31.4%—and a predominantly low-income population averaging 64.3% free/reduced lunch eligibility.
Suwannee Springcrest Elementary stands out as the district's top performer, earning a 3-star rating for two consecutive years and projected to maintain it. It leads in math proficiency, with 4th-grade math at 70% and 5th-grade math at 52%, both well above district averages, and has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (40.1%). In contrast, Suwannee Pineview Elementary faces the steepest hurdles, with the highest chronic absenteeism (47.0%), the highest free/reduced lunch rate (70.21%), and the lowest state ranking (27th percentile). Despite spending the most per student ($10,950) and having the smallest class sizes (16:1), it remains the lowest-performing school, highlighting that resources alone don't guarantee success. Branford Elementary School shows a mixed pattern: it excels in 3rd-grade math (73%) and 5th-grade science (65%), but its 4th-grade scores drop significantly. Suwannee Riverside Elementary performs near district averages but has seen a declining state ranking trend.
Overall, three of the four schools are on a downward trajectory in state rankings, suggesting a systemic struggle to keep pace with statewide improvements. The strong link between lower chronic absenteeism and higher academic performance at Springcrest underscores that addressing attendance is a critical lever for improvement across the district.
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