Summary:
In zip code 32033, there is one elementary school, South Woods Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Elkton, FL, within the highly-rated St. Johns School District.
South Woods Elementary School is a 2-star school, ranking in the 36th percentile statewide, which is a notable contrast to its parent district, a 5-star system in the 94th percentile. The school has 700 students and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, with per-student spending at $13,076. However, academic proficiency lags significantly behind the district in every subject and grade level. For example, 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency is 65% compared to the district's 78%, and 5th-grade science proficiency is 51% versus the district's 71%. A key challenge is a high chronic absenteeism rate of 34.1%, which is 70% higher than the district average of 20.1% and above the state average. Additionally, 71% of students are economically disadvantaged, qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
The most striking finding is the "district paradox": South Woods Elementary is an outlier within an otherwise elite system, suggesting its struggles are highly localized. The high chronic absenteeism rate is likely the most significant factor impacting performance, and addressing it would be the most impactful intervention. While the school has the capacity for strong results—as seen in a previous year's 5th-grade math score above the state average—the recent decline in that subject is a concern. Despite significant spending and a good student-teacher ratio, outcomes remain low, indicating a need to review how resources are used to better support a high-poverty, high-absenteeism student body.
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