Summary:
The six schools in Pensacola, FL, zip code 32534, part of the Escambia district, present a dramatic range of academic performance, from a top-tier elementary school to one of the lowest-performing schools in the state, with no middle or high schools in the area.
Pine Meadow Elementary School is the standout performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide, far exceeding the district's 27th percentile. In stark contrast, Jackie Harris Preparatory Academy has received a 0-star rating for three years and ranks in the bottom 1% of Florida elementary schools, with proficiency rates often in the single digits. R. C. Lipscomb Elementary School also performs well above average (68th percentile), while L. D. McArthur Elementary School sits near the state average (48th percentile). Lincoln Park Elementary School (22nd percentile) and Jackie Harris Prep struggle significantly. Escambia Westgate Center is an alternative school serving a special needs population, making standard test score comparisons irrelevant.
A critical finding is the inverse relationship between need and resources: Jackie Harris Prep, with the highest poverty rate (77.8%) and lowest scores, receives the least funding per student ($6,233) among the elementary schools, while Lincoln Park, also high-poverty, receives the most ($14,647). Chronic absenteeism is a powerful predictor of performance, with Pine Meadow and R.C. Lipscomb having rates around 21% (well below the state average of 31.4%), while Lincoln Park (43.9%) and Jackie Harris Prep (41.1%) have rates more than double that. Math proficiency is a consistent weakness across all schools, particularly in upper elementary grades. Escambia Westgate Center, with its extremely high per-student spending ($59,508) and low student-to-teacher ratio (4.1), highlights the intensive support required for its unique student body.
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