Summary:
In zip code 32321 (Bristol, FL), there is a single elementary-level school, W. R. Tolar K-8 School, which serves 513 students in grades K-8 within the Liberty County school district.
W. R. Tolar K-8 School presents a mixed academic profile. The school excels in its middle school grades, significantly outperforming state averages in 8th Grade Science (70% proficient vs. 52% state), Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam (82% vs. 63%), and Civics (82% vs. 77%). However, it struggles in the elementary grades, with proficiency rates in 4th and 5th grade Math and ELA falling 10-15 points below the state average. A notable paradox exists in 8th grade: while 82% of students are proficient in Algebra 1, only 16% are proficient in the standard 8th Grade Math exam, suggesting top math students are tracked into advanced courses, leaving a weaker cohort for the standard test. The school's state ranking dropped dramatically from the 60th percentile (3 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 31st percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026, driven largely by sharp declines in 5th Grade Science and 8th Grade Math scores. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at 34.4%, higher than the state average of 31.4%.
While the Liberty County district ranks in the top 26% of Florida districts (74th percentile), W. R. Tolar K-8 School itself ranks in the bottom 31% of schools statewide, indicating it is an underperformer relative to its district peers. The school's spending per student ($10,655) and student-teacher ratio (14.8:1) are typical for the state. With 53% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a moderately economically disadvantaged population. The key takeaway for parents is that the school offers strong middle school academics, particularly in advanced subjects, but families should be aware of significant challenges in elementary grades and the recent volatility in overall performance.
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