Summary:
The 32503 zip code in Pensacola, FL, is home to 10 schools within the Escambia district, serving elementary through high school grades and presenting a stark contrast between high-performing magnet schools and struggling neighborhood schools.
For parents, the standout schools are clear. West Florida High School/Technical leads high schools with a 99.7% graduation rate and top-15% state ranking, while Brown Barge Middle School excels as a 5-star school in the top 8% of Florida middle schools, with 95% proficiency in Algebra 1. At the elementary level, N. B. Cook Elementary School is the top performer, maintaining a 5-star rating for three years with math proficiency rates of 76-88% and science at 84%. In contrast, O. J. Semmes Elementary School faces severe challenges, earning a 0-star rating for three consecutive years with critically low proficiency rates (e.g., 19% in science) and a 62.3% chronic absenteeism rate. The Escambia Virtual Academy Franchise offers a unique alternative with a 100% graduation rate and 0.5% absenteeism, though its math scores lag behind district averages.
Key metrics reveal chronic absenteeism as the strongest predictor of performance, with top schools like Cordova Park Elementary School (8.6% absenteeism) and Brown Barge (11.4%) far below the district average of 33.5%. Spending per student does not correlate with success—O. J. Semmes spends the most ($14,099) yet achieves the worst outcomes, while the Virtual Academy spends the least ($7,652) and graduates all students. This "tale of two cities" within one zip code means a child at N. B. Cook has an 84% chance of science proficiency, while a child at O. J. Semmes has only a 19% chance, highlighting deep systemic disparities that parents should consider when choosing a school.
Thank you for your feedback!