Wakulla

The Wakulla County school district in Florida serves approximately 4,534 students across nine public schools, including five elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one alternative school, and is rated as a solid 3-star district ranking 25th out of 70 districts in the state.

Among the standout schools, Shadeville Elementary School is the district's top academic performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating with test scores well above both district and state averages, particularly in Math and Science. In contrast, Wakulla Coast Charter School Of Arts Science & Technology faces significant challenges, earning a 0-star rating and ranking in the bottom 10% of Florida elementary schools, with only 10% of its 3rd graders proficient in Math compared to the district's 74%. Wakulla High School shows impressive improvement, jumping from the 62nd to the 72nd percentile in state ranking and achieving a 98.8% graduation rate. The middle schools, Riversprings Middle School and Wakulla Middle School, excel in advanced coursework, with 100% of students proficient in Geometry and 80-81% proficient in Algebra 1.

A key district-wide concern is chronic absenteeism, which averages 36.3%—higher than the state's 31.4%—with Medart Elementary School at 45.5% and Wakulla Institute at 76.7%. Spending varies widely, from $7,392 per student at Wakulla Coast to $19,291 at Wakulla Institute, yet higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as Shadeville Elementary achieves top results with a moderate $9,133 per student. Overall, the district shows a "two-speed" dynamic where traditional public schools generally perform well, while the charter school struggles significantly, and Math proficiency at the elementary level remains inconsistent compared to English Language Arts.