Srmi @ Renaissance Center

Srmi @ Renaissance Center in Lecanto, FL, is a small alternative school within the Citrus district, serving just 82 students in grades 4 through 12, with over two-thirds of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The most critical concern for this school is its consistently 0% graduation rate over the last five years, which is dramatically lower than the district average of 94.1% and the state average of 92.2%. This is paired with an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 77.6%, more than double the district average. Academic performance across all subjects is severely low, with proficiency rates often in the single digits or low teens. For example, in the most recent school year, proficiency ranged from 0% in Algebra 1 to just 24% in 7th Grade ELA. While the school spends $14,877 per student, this investment has not translated into improved outcomes, especially when compared to nearby alternative schools like Hernando Eschool Virtual Franchise, which has a 100% graduation rate and 0% chronic absenteeism, or Citrus Eschool, which also reports 0% chronic absenteeism and strong academic results in some subjects.

Interestingly, a single bright spot appears in the Biology 1 EOC exam, where the school achieved a 36% proficiency rate in 2023-2024, approaching the district average of 64%. This suggests that success is possible with the right approach, making the consistent failure in other subjects a sign of systemic challenges rather than student capability. Located just 0.52 miles from Crest School, another alternative school with a 0% graduation rate, Srmi @ Renaissance Center serves a high-needs population but appears to be under-resourced relative to the intensity of need, as Crest spends over four times as much per student and has a much lower student-to-teacher ratio.