Pleasant Grove Elementary School

Pleasant Grove Elementary School is a mid-sized school in Pensacola, FL, serving 678 students in grades PK-5 within the Escambia district, and it stands out as a high-performing bright spot in a district that faces systemic challenges.

This school has shown a remarkable upward trajectory, climbing from the 43rd percentile in 2017-2018 to the 77th percentile in the most recent data, earning it a 4-star rating and placing it in the top quarter of all Florida elementary schools. Its academic performance is exceptional, consistently beating both district and state averages. For example, 3rd graders achieved 84% proficiency in math and 79% in ELA, far outpacing nearby schools like Blue Angels Elementary School (69% math) and Hellen Caro Elementary School (69% ELA). While many neighboring schools, such as Oakcrest Elementary School and Warrington Elementary School, rank in the bottom 20% of the state, Pleasant Grove is a clear outlier. The school also demonstrates efficient spending at $9,825 per student—the lowest among its peers—and has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (33.9%) than most nearby schools, though it is slightly above the state average.

Interestingly, the school’s success is even more impressive given that 54.87% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a figure that has been declining. While there is a slight dip in proficiency in upper grades (e.g., 5th-grade ELA at 57% vs. 3rd-grade at 79%), the strong foundation built in 3rd grade is a key indicator of future success. Compared to other high-performing schools in the area, Pleasant Grove achieves its results with a leaner budget and a more diverse student body, suggesting effective leadership and instructional practices that overcome socioeconomic hurdles.