Summary:
The five public schools in Daytona Beach's 32114 zip code, part of the Volusia County School District, serve grades Pre-K through 12 and face significant socioeconomic challenges, with an average of 81.7% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Mainland High School stands out as the top performer, earning a 3-star rating and a 95.8% graduation rate that exceeds both district and state averages. It is the only school where students consistently meet or exceed state proficiency in subjects like Biology (79% vs. 74% state) and US History (76% vs. 74% state). In stark contrast, Turie T. Small Elementary School is the lowest-ranked school in the area (0 stars, 5th percentile), with only 26% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA compared to 60% statewide. The Chiles Academy is a troubling outlier—a small alternative high school with a 98.3% chronic absenteeism rate, a 44.4% graduation rate, and a 90:1 student-teacher ratio, despite spending the most per student ($13,883).
A critical finding is the chronic absenteeism crisis, averaging 55.1% across the zip code—far above the state's 31.4%—which strongly correlates with lower academic outcomes. Even the best school, Palm Terrace Elementary, has a 41.9% absenteeism rate. Interestingly, Campbell Middle School shows a bright spot in Algebra 1, with 71% of test-takers proficient, far exceeding district and state averages, despite being a low-performing school overall. The data reveals a spending paradox: schools with the highest needs spend the most but achieve the worst results, suggesting funds are directed toward managing challenges rather than direct instruction.
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