Summary:
The five elementary schools in Pensacola's 32505 zip code, all part of the Escambia school district, serve grades PK-5 and face significant challenges, with an average free/reduced lunch rate of 77.5% and a district ranked 51st out of 70 in Florida.
Montclair Elementary School stands out as the top performer, achieving a 2-star rating (35th percentile) in 2025-2026 after a remarkable turnaround from 1-star ratings in prior years, with strong math scores like 61% proficiency in 5th grade. In contrast, C. A. Weis Elementary School is the most challenged, ranking in the 3rd percentile with the highest chronic absenteeism (47.7%) and the highest economic disadvantage (89.41% free/reduced lunch). Oakcrest Elementary School is a math powerhouse, with 5th-grade math proficiency (67%) exceeding both district and state averages, despite having the lowest spending per student ($10,976) and the lowest economic disadvantage rate (56.74%). Global Learning Academy has the highest spending per student ($13,450) but ranks low (6th percentile), while Brentwood Elementary School has the lowest chronic absenteeism (37.5%) and shows more stability.
Chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, averaging 43.2% across all schools—11.8 points above the state average—and is a likely driver of low academic performance. Math is a relative strength, with Oakcrest and Montclair meeting or exceeding district averages, but no school achieves the district average in English Language Arts, indicating a universal literacy weakness. The data reveals that higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes, as seen with Global Learning Academy, while Oakcrest's success with lower funding highlights the importance of instructional strategy and school culture.
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