Charles Drew Elementary School

Charles Drew Elementary School is a public magnet elementary school in Pompano Beach, Florida, serving 396 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Broward County School District, which is ranked 25th out of 67 districts in the state.

While Charles Drew Elementary has a relatively high per-student spending, ranging from $12,005 to $15,929 over the past few years, its academic performance lags behind both the Broward County and Florida state averages. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's 3rd grade English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rate was 39%, compared to 61% for Broward County and 57% for Florida. Similarly, the school's 5th grade Science proficiency rate was 66%, while the Broward County and Florida averages were 57% and 55%, respectively. Additionally, Charles Drew Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 30.9% to 44.9% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the typical range of 15-20% for most schools.

When comparing Charles Drew Elementary to nearby schools within the Broward County district, it becomes evident that the school is underperforming academically. For instance, Palmview Elementary School, which is also a public magnet school, consistently outperforms Charles Drew Elementary in test scores across various subjects and grade levels. The high rates of free and reduced-price lunch eligibility, ranging from 73.23% to 85.59% over the past few years, may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance, as these socioeconomic challenges can create significant barriers to student learning and achievement.