Archer Elementary

Archer Elementary in Archer, FL, is a mid-sized school serving 413 students in grades PK through 5 in a rural community, and it stands out as a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer within the Alachua district, which ranks in the bottom half of Florida districts.

One of the school's biggest strengths is its exceptional early literacy and math performance in grades 3 and 4, where it consistently outperforms both the district and state averages by significant margins—for example, 72% of 3rd graders met state standards in English Language Arts, compared to 56% for the district. However, there is a noticeable "5th grade slump," with scores dropping below state averages in ELA, math, and science, a pattern not seen at top-performing nearby schools like Hidden Oak Elementary or Healthy Learning Academy Charter School. Additionally, Archer spends significantly more per student ($13,458) than these higher-ranked peers, suggesting a potential inefficiency in resource allocation. On a positive note, chronic absenteeism has improved to 27.7%, which is better than the district average of 31.6% and a stark contrast to Myra Terwilliger Elementary, which struggles with a 44.3% rate.

When compared to nearby schools in the Levy district, such as Williston Elementary and Bronson Elementary, Archer is a clear academic standout with dramatically higher proficiency rates across all subjects. Overall, Archer Elementary is a school with strong foundational programs in the early grades but faces a critical challenge in maintaining that success through 5th grade. With a moderate level of economic disadvantage (50.6% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch), the school has the potential to become a top-tier performer if it can address the upper-grade slump and improve the efficiency of its spending.