Seminole Elementary School

Seminole Elementary School is a public school in Okeechobee, FL, serving 511 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Okeechobee district, which is ranked in the bottom 2% of Florida districts.

Seminole Elementary serves a high-poverty community, with 91% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, the highest rate among all in-district elementary schools. The school spends about $12,986 per student, which is more than nearby South Elementary School ($11,990), yet Seminole ranks significantly lower in state performance (11th percentile) compared to South (43rd percentile). This spending paradox suggests that the school's resources are not translating into academic gains as effectively as at other schools. Chronic absenteeism has also been a challenge, peaking at 62.6% in 2021-2022, though it has since dropped to 37.9%—still above the state average of 31.4%.

An interesting pattern emerges when looking at grade-level performance. In the 2025-2026 school year, Seminole's 5th graders achieved the highest math proficiency (54%) among all in-district elementary schools, and their science scores (42%) were second only to South Elementary. However, its 3rd graders had the lowest math proficiency (34%) in the district. This sharp drop-off between grades indicates that the school's youngest students are struggling significantly, possibly due to post-pandemic challenges or changes in the local population. Overall, the school's state ranking has declined steadily over the past five years, from the 58th percentile in 2020-2021 to the 11th percentile in 2025-2026, highlighting systemic issues that need attention, particularly in early-grade instruction and support.