Umatilla Elementary School

Umatilla Elementary School in Umatilla, FL, serves 689 students in grades PK-5 and is part of the Lake district, where about 48% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Umatilla Elementary presents a mixed picture for parents. The school is a relative standout in math, particularly in 5th grade, where 64% of students are proficient—outpacing both the district (59%) and state (62%) averages. However, this strength is offset by significant struggles in English Language Arts (ELA), where proficiency rates in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades all fall below district and state levels. For example, only 47% of 3rd graders are proficient in ELA, compared to 62% district-wide. This academic profile is especially interesting when compared to nearby Altoona School, just 2.7 miles away, which serves a higher percentage of students from economically disadvantaged homes yet outperforms Umatilla in every subject. Chronic absenteeism is a persistent challenge, with nearly 30% of students missing significant school time—far higher than at top-performing neighbors like Round Lake Charter School (11.6%).

Despite spending $11,492 per student—more than several higher-performing nearby schools—Umatilla’s state ranking has steadily declined over the past decade, from a 4-star school in 2017 to a 2-star rating today. This suggests that how resources are used matters more than the amount spent. The school’s success in 5th grade math offers a potential blueprint for improvement, while the example of Altoona School shows that high poverty does not have to limit achievement. For parents, the key takeaway is that Umatilla has clear strengths in math but needs focused attention on reading and attendance to reverse its downward trend.