Summary:
The Washington school district in Florida is home to two elementary schools, Kate M. Smith Elementary School and Vernon Elementary School, serving grades PK-5 in a district ranked 52nd out of 70 in the state.
Kate M. Smith Elementary School stands out as the higher-performing school in the district, consistently outperforming Vernon Elementary School across most academic subjects. In the 2025-2026 school year, Kate M. Smith achieved proficiency rates at or above the district average in 6 out of 7 tests, while Vernon only did so in 2 out of 7. Kate M. Smith also holds a higher state ranking (1384 out of 2240, 38th percentile) compared to Vernon (1532 out of 2240, 32nd percentile). Notably, Vernon spends $1,805 more per student ($11,244 vs. $9,439) yet achieves lower academic results, a paradox likely driven by its higher percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (65.54% vs. 41.69% at Kate M. Smith). Both schools share a strength in 3rd-grade math, with both achieving 73% proficiency—7 points above the state average—but this advantage fades by 5th grade, where both fall below state averages in math and science.
The most critical challenge facing both schools is an absenteeism crisis. Chronic absenteeism rates are alarmingly high: 43.1% at Kate M. Smith and 47.8% at Vernon, both far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. This is a primary driver of lower academic achievement and a key factor in the district's low overall ranking. For parents, this means that while Kate M. Smith Elementary School offers stronger academic outcomes and a more favorable socioeconomic profile, both schools face significant hurdles with student attendance that directly impact learning. The data suggests that addressing absenteeism could be the most impactful step for improving performance across the district.
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