Suwannee Springcrest Elementary

Suwannee Springcrest Elementary in Live Oak, FL, serves 615 students in grades PK-5 and has become a standout academic success story within the Suwannee district, which ranks 49th out of 70 in Florida.

Springcrest has achieved a remarkable turnaround over the past decade, climbing from a 1-star rating to a consistent 3-star school that now ranks in the 57th percentile statewide. It is the top-performing elementary school in the Suwannee district by a wide margin, ranking 973rd in the state, while its closest district rivals, Suwannee Riverside Elementary (1,621st) and Suwannee Pineview Elementary (1,640th), rank nearly 700 places lower. The school’s math program is a core strength, with 75% of 3rd graders and 70% of 4th graders proficient in math—well above state averages. However, a "5th grade slump" appears in math, with only 52% of 5th graders proficient, which is 10 points below the state average. Science is a consistent bright spot, with 5th graders outperforming both district and state for four consecutive years.

While Springcrest excels academically, chronic absenteeism is a critical weakness, with 40.1% of students chronically absent—nearly 9 points higher than the state average. Nearby schools like Westside Elementary in Columbia County (4-star, 72nd percentile) and Lafayette Elementary in Lafayette County (4-star, 71st percentile) achieve higher overall rankings with lower absenteeism rates (25.5% and 36.8%, respectively). Springcrest spends $10,419 per student, which is less than Hamilton County Elementary ($12,722) and Lafayette Elementary ($12,998), but more than Westside Elementary ($9,752), suggesting its success comes from effective resource use rather than higher spending.