Summary:
The 32127 zip code in Port Orange, Florida, is served by four public schools within the Volusia School District, including one high school and three elementary schools, with a total enrollment of 4,265 students.
Sweetwater Elementary School is the clear academic standout, earning a 5-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the 96th percentile of Florida elementary schools. It consistently outperforms district and state averages, with proficiency rates reaching 91% in 3rd-grade math. In contrast, Port Orange Elementary School has the lowest state ranking among the elementary schools and the highest percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 59.83%. Spruce Creek Elementary School is a solid performer with proficiency rates in the 70-81% range, and it spends the most per student ($12,401) with the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.9:1). Spruce Creek High School boasts a near-perfect 99.5% graduation rate and excels in Biology 1 (85% proficient), but shows a notable weakness in Algebra 1 (42% proficient) and has the highest chronic absenteeism rate in the zip code at 32.4%.
Key takeaways include the "Sweetwater Effect," where high academic results are achieved despite moderate economic disadvantage, suggesting effective school-level factors. There is also a clear correlation between higher poverty rates and lower academic performance, as seen at Port Orange Elementary. Notably, higher spending per student does not guarantee better outcomes, as Sweetwater Elementary outperforms Spruce Creek Elementary despite spending less. Finally, the absence of a middle school within the zip code means students must transition to schools outside the immediate area, a key consideration for families.
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