Summary:
In zip code 32344, located in Monticello, FL, there are two schools serving 701 students within the Jefferson school district, an area marked by significant economic disadvantage with over 73% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Jefferson Schools K-12 is the dominant school, serving 669 students across all grades and achieving strong academic results despite its "Alternative" classification. It boasts a 95.8% graduation rate, well above state averages, and high proficiency in subjects like Biology 1 (94%) and 3rd Grade Math (72%). In contrast, Turning Point is a small high school (grades 6-12) with only 32 students that faces extreme challenges, ranking last among all Florida high schools with a 0% proficiency rate in US History and Civics and a critically low 7.7% graduation rate. While Jefferson Schools K-12 spends $18,495 per student with a favorable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio, Turning Point spends significantly more at $23,348 per student but has a higher 16:1 ratio, highlighting a costly intervention model with poor returns.
The most pressing shared issue is chronic absenteeism, which affects both schools drastically: 47.8% at Jefferson Schools K-12 and 62.7% at Turning Point, both far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. This suggests a systemic community challenge tied to high poverty rates. Jefferson Schools K-12 also shows inconsistent year-over-year performance, such as Algebra 1 proficiency jumping from 28% to 62% while Geometry remained flat, warranting further investigation. Overall, Jefferson Schools K-12 serves as a strong academic anchor despite these headwinds, while Turning Point illustrates the extreme difficulties faced by a small, high-needs population.
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