Summary:
Zip code 32430, serving the rural community of Clarksville, FL, is home to a single school, Carr Elementary & Middle School, a public PK-8 institution within the Calhoun district that serves 205 students.
Carr Elementary & Middle School presents a striking contrast of academic excellence and significant challenges. The school is a standout in mathematics, with 94% of 7th graders proficient in math and 86% of students passing the Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam, both far exceeding state averages. Early literacy is also a strength, with 87% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA. However, the school faces a severe attendance crisis, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 46.2%—nearly 50% higher than the state average. This issue, combined with a notable "5th grade slump" where math proficiency drops to just 37%, has contributed to a declining state ranking from the 60th percentile to the 49th percentile, dropping its star rating from 3 to 2 stars despite strong performance in other grades.
Despite spending $12,779 per student—a significant investment—the school struggles to address its core challenges. The high absenteeism and weak 5th-grade performance suggest that resources may not be reaching the areas of greatest need. As the sole educational provider for the 32430 community, Carr Elementary & Middle School is a critical anchor, but its long-term effectiveness hinges on tackling the attendance crisis and the specific academic dip in 5th grade to ensure its pockets of excellence in math and early literacy translate into consistent, school-wide success.
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