Summary:
Zip code 32569 in Mary Esther, FL, is home to two elementary schools, Florosa Elementary School and Mary Esther Elementary School, both part of the Okaloosa School District, which is ranked in the 83rd percentile statewide.
There is a stark contrast between the two schools. Florosa Elementary is a standout performer, consistently scoring well above district and state averages in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. For the 2025-2026 school year, 78% of its 3rd graders were proficient in ELA and 85% in Math, earning it a 4-star rating and a state rank in the 81st percentile. In contrast, Mary Esther Elementary is struggling, with only 33% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and a state ranking that has plummeted from the 55th percentile to the 22nd percentile over two years, resulting in a 1-star rating. Notably, Mary Esther spends slightly more per student ($11,053 vs. $10,973) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (16.8:1 vs. 17.3:1), yet its academic outcomes are significantly worse, suggesting that factors beyond funding and class size, such as instructional quality or school culture, are at play.
Chronic absenteeism is a shared concern, with Mary Esther at 20.0% and Florosa at 17.2%, both below the state average of 31.4%. However, Mary Esther has a higher percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (73.29% vs. 56.4% at Florosa), which often correlates with additional challenges. For parents, Florosa Elementary offers a proven track record of academic excellence and stability, while Mary Esther Elementary requires careful consideration due to its declining performance and need for targeted support.
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