Summary:
In zip code 32024 (Lake City, FL), there are three elementary schools serving grades PK through 5 within the Columbia County School District, which ranks in the 49th percentile statewide.
Westside Elementary School is the standout performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating over the past three years and ranking in the 84th percentile for 2025-2026. It leads in 5th Grade Science (64% proficient) and 3rd Grade Math (78%), despite having the lowest per-student spending ($9,752) and the highest student-teacher ratio (17.3:1). In contrast, Columbia City Elementary School is the most volatile, dropping from a 4-star to a 2-star rating before rebounding to a 3-star. It shows strong 3rd grade scores (70% ELA, 77% Math) but a significant decline by 5th grade (60% ELA, 54% Math). Pinemount Elementary School is a consistent mid-tier performer with a 3-star rating, excelling in 4th and 5th Grade Math (77% and 74% proficient) but struggling with 3rd Grade ELA (57%). It has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (59.38%) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.9:1).
A key takeaway is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Westside achieves top results with fewer resources, while Pinemount spends the most per student ($11,172) but has lower overall scores. All three schools have chronic absenteeism rates well below the district (37.8%) and state (31.4%) averages, with Columbia City having the lowest at 23.3%. This suggests strong community engagement across the area, though each school has distinct academic strengths and challenges that parents should consider based on their child's grade level.
Thank you for your feedback!