Edward A. Upthegrove Elementary

Edward A. Upthegrove Elementary in Labelle, FL, serves 552 students in grades PK-5 within the Hendry district, a high-poverty area where 65% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school shows a striking contrast in academic performance: it excels in upper-grade math, with 74% of 4th graders and 65% of 5th graders proficient in 2025-2026—beating both the district and state averages. However, early literacy is a major weakness, with only 39% of 3rd graders proficient in English Language Arts, which is 21 points below the state average. This "Jekyll and Hyde" pattern suggests a strong math program in later grades but a need for stronger reading foundations early on.

A critical challenge is chronic absenteeism, which affects 32.2% of students—far higher than the district average of 20.1% and the second-highest rate among nearby schools (only Amanecer Elementary is worse at 40.7%). This likely disrupts learning continuity and holds back overall performance. Despite spending $12,013 per student—more than most neighboring schools like Country Oaks Elementary ($9,932) or The Alva School ($9,826)—the school's overall ranking remains in the bottom third of Florida elementary schools. Nearby schools in other districts, such as West Glades School (just 2.8 miles away), outperform Upthegrove in nearly every subject, highlighting the challenges within the Hendry district.

On a positive note, 5th-grade science shows a promising upward trend, rising from 37% proficiency in 2022-2023 to 54% in 2025-2026, now above the district average and closing in on the state average. The school's consistent strength in 4th-grade math over four years points to an effective program that could be replicated in other subjects. For parents, the key takeaway is that Upthegrove has clear strengths in math and science, but addressing chronic absenteeism and early literacy gaps would be the most impactful steps to improve overall outcomes.