Washington

The Washington school district in Florida serves nine schools, including elementary, middle, high, and alternative programs, and is ranked 52nd out of 70 districts in the state with a 1-star rating.

For parents, the standout school is Roulhac Middle School, which is the highest-performing school in the district, consistently earning a 3-star rating and excelling in Algebra 1 and Civics. In contrast, Vernon High School faces the most significant challenges, with the lowest test scores and a declining rating from 3-star to 2-star, despite having the highest per-student spending among traditional schools. The Washington Virtual Franchise is a small but highly efficient alternative school with the lowest spending, lowest chronic absenteeism, and a 100% graduation rate. Meanwhile, Washington Academy Of Varying Exceptionalities (Wave) has the highest per-student spending due to serving students with severe disabilities, but also the highest chronic absenteeism rate.

Key metrics show chronic absenteeism is a major district-wide issue, with the average of 41.8% far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. Spending varies dramatically, from $6,377 at the virtual franchise to $27,897 at Wave, but higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes—Kate M. Smith Elementary School performs well with the lowest spending among traditional schools. Interestingly, middle schools outperform high schools academically, suggesting a disconnect in curriculum or instruction during the transition. Socioeconomic factors also play a role, as Chipley High School has higher test scores and a lower percentage of economically disadvantaged students compared to Vernon High School. Overall, the district’s virtual programs offer a promising model for flexibility and engagement, while traditional schools struggle with attendance and performance consistency.