Summary:
Zip code 32424 in Blountstown, FL, is home to two schools within the Calhoun district: Blountstown High School, a traditional school serving grades 6-12 with 658 students, and Calhoun Virtual Instruction Program, an alternative K-12 virtual school with just 30 students.
Blountstown High School stands out for its exceptional 97.3% graduation rate, well above the state average of 92.2%, and strong middle school performance in Civics (84% proficient) and 7th-grade Math (65% proficient). However, it faces a significant challenge with a 55.9% chronic absenteeism rate—nearly double the state average—and a puzzling drop in 8th-grade math proficiency from 59% to just 23% in the latest year. In contrast, Calhoun Virtual Instruction Program has a remarkably low 2.3% chronic absenteeism rate, likely due to its virtual model, but lacks recent test scores and has a lower graduation rate of 63.6% (2022-2023). Both schools serve a similar percentage of economically disadvantaged students (around 43% free/reduced lunch), yet spending differs sharply: $11,719 per student at Blountstown High versus $5,692 at the virtual program.
A key takeaway is the "middle school cliff" at Blountstown High School, where students meet or exceed state averages in grades 6-8 but fall behind in high school subjects like Algebra 1 (44% vs. 63% state) and Biology 1 (58% vs. 74% state). The district's strong Civics performance (84% proficient) is a notable strength. For parents, Blountstown High School offers a high graduation rate and solid middle school academics but struggles with absenteeism and high school test scores, while Calhoun Virtual Instruction Program provides a low-absenteeism, cost-efficient alternative with limited academic data.
Thank you for your feedback!