Summary:
Zip code 32359 is served by a single school, Steinhatchee School, a small, rural elementary school (PK-5) with 112 students that has achieved a remarkable turnaround, now ranking among the top 2% of elementary schools in Florida.
Steinhatchee School is a standout for its exceptional academic performance, particularly in the most recent school year. The school has shown a dramatic improvement in its state ranking, jumping from the 83rd percentile (4-star) to the 98th percentile (5-star) and earning a rank of 53rd out of 2,240 elementary schools in Florida. This is a massive leap that suggests highly effective instruction. The school is also "beating the odds," achieving top-tier results despite 63.39% of its students being eligible for free or reduced lunch. Key metrics include a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 and a high per-student spending of $18,595, which likely supports smaller classes and targeted resources. The school is part of the Taylor County School District, which is ranked 31st out of 70 districts in Florida.
The most compelling finding is the school's mastery of mathematics, with 100% of 4th and 5th graders proficient in Math in the 2025-2026 school year. English Language Arts proficiency is also very high, with 94% of 5th graders proficient. However, a point of concern is the chronic absenteeism rate of 35.7%, which is higher than the state average of 31.4%. This creates an interesting paradox: how can a school with such high absenteeism also have such high test scores? It could mean that the students who are chronically absent are a distinct group, or that the instruction is so effective that even absent students catch up quickly. As the only school in the 32359 zip code, Steinhatchee School is a vital community anchor, delivering an education that rivals the best schools in the entire state.
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