Summary:
Zip code 32333, serving the Havana, FL area, contains two public schools within the Gadsden County School District, a district ranked in the bottom 10% of Florida, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a community with high economic need.
Havana Magnet School (PK-8) is the standout in this area, showing strong academic performance in advanced subjects despite serving a similarly disadvantaged population. It dramatically outperforms the district and state averages in Algebra 1 (77% proficient), Biology 1 (92%), and Civics, and has improved its state ranking from the 12th to the 25th percentile over three years. In contrast, Gadsden County High School (9-12) faces significant challenges, including a very high student-teacher ratio of 24.6:1, lower per-pupil spending ($11,039 vs. $15,496 at the magnet school), and a chronic absenteeism rate of 74.1%—more than double the state average. The high school's graduation rate of 80.4% also trails the state average of 92.2%.
The most critical takeaway is the stark contrast between these two schools within the same district. Havana Magnet School benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio and higher spending, which likely contributes to its success in specific subjects, though it struggles in areas like 8th-grade science (only 9% proficient). Gadsden County High School's extreme chronic absenteeism is a crisis that undermines all other metrics, explaining its low test scores and stagnant performance in the bottom 20th percentile. For parents, Havana Magnet School offers a clear positive trajectory and strong programs in math and science, while Gadsden County High School requires serious consideration of its attendance and resource challenges.
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