Summary:
In zip code 32344, located in Monticello, Florida, there is only one high school, Turning Point, which serves a very small student body of 32 students across grades 6-12 within the Jefferson County school district.
Turning Point is a school facing severe and urgent challenges, standing out for its extremely low performance metrics. It is ranked last in the entire state of Florida (844 out of 844 high schools) with a 0th percentile ranking and zero stars. The school's graduation rate for the 2022-2023 school year was a catastrophic 7.7%, meaning over 92% of students did not graduate on time, a stark contrast to the district (92.7%) and state (92.2%) averages. Chronic absenteeism is rampant, with 62.7% of students missing so much school it jeopardizes their academic success, more than double the state average of 31.4%. Furthermore, the school reported 0% proficiency on both the US History and Civics End-of-Course exams.
A key paradox is that despite spending $23,348 per student—roughly double the state average—the school produces the worst academic outcomes in Florida. This high spending, combined with a 75% free/reduced lunch rate indicating high poverty, suggests the challenges are deeply rooted in social and systemic issues that money alone cannot solve. With only 32 students, Turning Point functions as a micro-school that appears to be serving a highly at-risk population. The data paints a picture of a school in a state of emergency, requiring immediate, intensive intervention focused on attendance, wraparound social services, and alternative pathways to graduation rather than simply more funding.
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