Palm Beach Preparatory Charter Academy Middle School

Palm Beach Preparatory Charter Academy Middle School is a very small charter school in Palm Beach, FL, serving just 37 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Palm Beach district. The school serves a high-poverty population, with over 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and spends a relatively high amount per student at $20,625.

The most defining characteristic of this school is its critically low academic performance. In the 2025-2026 school year, only 6% of 8th graders were proficient in both English Language Arts and Math—a staggering 54 to 62 percentage points below the district and state averages. In Science, 0% of students were proficient, compared to 55% in the district. This performance places the school in the 1st percentile statewide, earning it a 0-star rating. For context, nearby Christa McAuliffe Middle School, located just 6 miles away, achieves a 4-star rating with proficiency rates of 72-76% in core subjects, despite spending less per student ($14,736) and serving a much larger enrollment of 1,079 students.

The school's tiny size creates a unique environment but also makes it highly vulnerable to the performance of a very small number of students. While other low-performing schools in the area, like Lake Worth Community Middle and L C Swain Middle School, still achieve proficiency rates in the 30-40% range, Palm Beach Preparatory's 6% proficiency is a critical red flag. The school spends over $5,000 more per student than the next highest spender in the area, yet its outcomes are a fraction of its peers, suggesting that funds are not being effectively translated into academic achievement. This data indicates an urgent need for a comprehensive turnaround strategy focused on instructional practices and student support.