Summary
Big Pine Academy is a small, public elementary school (PK-5) in Big Pine Key, FL, serving just 89 students and part of the Monroe County School District. This school stands out as a high-performing gem, ranking in the 91st percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year—a remarkable leap from previous years and a testament to its recent surge in academic excellence.
What truly sets Big Pine Academy apart is its dramatic outperformance of nearby schools. For example, in 4th grade ELA, Big Pine Academy achieved an 82% proficiency rate, compared to just 49% at Stanley Switlik Elementary School and 56% at Sugarloaf School. Similarly, in 3rd grade math, Big Pine Academy scored 89% proficiency, while Switlik and Sugarloaf scored 81% and 66%, respectively. This consistent 20-30 percentage point lead across all core subjects highlights the school’s exceptional instructional quality. Additionally, Big Pine Academy operates with a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.9:1, enabling personalized attention that likely drives its success. The school also spends significantly less per student ($13,078) than its neighbors, yet achieves far better results, pointing to efficient resource use.
However, parents should note a few important factors. Big Pine Academy serves a more affluent student population, with only 14.61% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, compared to 66.61% at Switlik and 33.03% at Sugarloaf. While this context helps explain its high test scores, the school’s 91st percentile ranking suggests it performs well even among similar low-poverty schools. A growing concern is chronic absenteeism, which rose to 22.9% in 2023-2024—higher than the district average and a potential risk to future performance. Despite this, Big Pine Academy’s recent turnaround and strong academic record make it a standout choice for families in the area.
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