Summary:
In zip code 32091, there is one middle school, Bradford Middle School, serving grades 7 and 8 with 408 students in Starke, Florida, an area where the Bradford school district ranks in the 17th percentile statewide.
Bradford Middle School shows a mixed academic profile. Its standout strength is 7th Grade Math, where 67% of students are proficient—14 points above the state average. The school also excels in advanced coursework, with 79% of Algebra 1 test-takers proficient, far exceeding both district and state averages. However, performance drops significantly in 8th grade, with only 39% proficient in Math and 47% in ELA, both well below state averages. Civics proficiency (52%) and 8th Grade Science (40%) also lag behind. The most critical concern is chronic absenteeism, which at 49.1% is nearly 18 points higher than the state average, likely dragging down overall academic results. The school has maintained a consistent 2-star rating over three years, ranking in the 32nd to 36th percentile among Florida middle schools.
Key takeaways for parents include a notable gap between 7th and 8th grade performance, suggesting the current 7th grade cohort may be stronger or benefiting from different instruction. The high chronic absenteeism rate is the single biggest factor affecting the school, and addressing it could improve all metrics. While the school struggles in standard subjects, it effectively supports high-achieving students in advanced coursework. With 60.54% of students economically disadvantaged and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.4, resources are stretched, but the school's bright spots in 7th grade math and Algebra 1 show potential for targeted improvement.
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