Summary
Labelle Middle School in Labelle, FL, serves 830 students in grades 6-8 within the Hendry district, a mid-sized school in a rural area where 60.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school stands out for its exceptional advanced math program, particularly in Geometry, where it achieved a 95% proficiency rate—far exceeding the state average of 56% and more than double its own district's 39%. However, this success contrasts with struggles in general math, where only 41% of 8th graders are proficient, well below the state's 61% and lower than nearby Lehigh Acres Middle School (61%) and Lemuel Teal Middle School (49%).
In Civics, Labelle shines with a 75% proficiency rate, nearly matching the state average and outperforming Lehigh Acres (62%) and Lemuel Teal (60%). Yet, the school faces a severe chronic absenteeism crisis, with 33.9% of students missing significant school—nearly double the district average of 20.1% and higher than the state's 31.4%. This is a critical weakness, as it suggests many students are missing valuable instruction time, even though those who attend regularly perform relatively well. The school's overall state ranking has improved slightly to the 31st percentile, hinting at a potential upward trend, but general math and English Language Arts scores remain below state averages.
Labelle spends $10,608 per student, more than Lehigh Acres ($9,590) but less than Lemuel Teal ($10,867), yet its outcomes are mixed. The school excels at accelerating top math students, as seen in its Geometry and Algebra 1 scores (66% proficiency, above the district's 44%), but struggles to lift the majority to grade-level proficiency. The key takeaway for parents is that Labelle offers a strong advanced math and civics program, but its high absenteeism and below-average general academics are significant concerns. The school's future success depends on tackling attendance issues and replicating its advanced program's success across all classrooms.
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