Summary:
The three public schools in zip code 32054 (Lake Butler, FL) serve 2,309 students from Pre-K through 12th grade within the Union County School District, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 61st percentile statewide.
Lake Butler Elementary School stands out for its exceptional math performance, with 77% of 3rd graders proficient in math—11 points above the state average. However, the transition to Lake Butler Middle School reveals a pronounced "middle school slump," where ELA scores in all grades fall below state averages and 8th-grade math proficiency plummets to just 31%. Interestingly, the middle school excels at accelerating top students, with 93% of Algebra 1 test-takers scoring proficient, a staggering 30 points above the state average. This creates a "barbell effect" where resources seem focused on either the youngest or most advanced students, potentially leaving average learners behind. Chronic absenteeism is a systemic issue, with the middle school's rate of 36.4% being the highest in the district and well above the state average of 31.4%.
Union County High School shows inconsistent performance, excelling in US History (85% proficient) and Biology (74% proficient) but struggling in Algebra 1 (50%) and Geometry (49%). The high school's graduation rate of 84.7% is 7.5 points below the state average, and its per-student spending of $13,018 is the highest in the district, yet it does not correlate with better outcomes. Overall, the district faces challenges in supporting students through the middle-to-high school transition, with attendance and math proficiency being key areas for improvement across all grade levels.
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