Summary:
The 8 schools in Pensacola's 32526 zip code, part of the Escambia County School District, serve elementary through high school grades and reveal a stark performance divide between the Beulah and Bellview communities.
The standout performer is Beulah Academy of Science, a middle school ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide with near-perfect Algebra 1 and Geometry scores, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (19.4%), and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (28.3%) in the area. In contrast, Success Academy (high school) ranks in the 14th percentile with single-digit proficiency in several subjects and a 61.2% chronic absenteeism rate, despite having the highest per-student spending ($16,559). Bellview Elementary shows the most improvement, rising from the 49th to 58th percentile, achieving 72% proficiency in 5th Grade Science despite a 69.6% poverty rate. The three Bellview-area schools average a 67.9% free/reduced lunch rate, while the three Beulah-area schools average 42.6%, a 25-point gap that drives performance differences. Both high schools—Pine Forest High (88.9% graduation) and Success Academy (85.9%)—fall below the state average of 92.2%.
Key takeaways include the "Beulah Bubble" effect, where Beulah Academy of Science achieves top-tier results with the lowest spending ($7,098), while higher spending at struggling schools like Success Academy fails to improve outcomes. The zip code's average chronic absenteeism rate (35.5%) exceeds both district and state averages, signaling a systemic issue. Bellview Elementary offers a hopeful case study, demonstrating that effective leadership can overcome high poverty and absenteeism to drive improvement.
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