Best Public Schools in Zip Code 32025

The six public schools in zip code 32025 (Lake City, FL) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade within the Columbia School District, which ranks in the 49th percentile statewide, and present a mixed picture of standout performers and significant challenges.

Lake City Middle School is the clear academic leader, with 85% of students proficient in Algebra 1—far exceeding district and state averages—and a rising 3-star rating. In contrast, Eastside Elementary School has experienced a dramatic decline, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 42nd percentile in just two years. The two lowest-performing schools, Melrose Park Elementary (28th percentile) and Summers Elementary (17th percentile), struggle with high poverty rates and chronic absenteeism despite receiving the highest per-student funding. Columbia High School faces a crisis with a 52.9% chronic absenteeism rate and only 14% proficiency in Algebra 1, while Richardson Sixth Grade Academy shows a notable drop in math proficiency, falling from 56% to 45% in one year.

Key takeaways for parents include the paradox that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as the most funded schools are the lowest performing. The district-wide chronic absenteeism rate of 37.8% is a major concern, particularly at the high school level. While Lake City Middle School offers a strong academic option, families should be aware of the steep declines at Eastside Elementary and the persistent struggles at Melrose Park and Summers Elementary.