Summary:
Zip code 32603 is home to a single school, Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary, a public K-5 school serving 501 students within the Alachua district, which holds a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.
This school presents a mixed picture. Its strongest area is 5th-grade Science, where 59% of students are proficient—nearly matching the state average of 60% and slightly exceeding the district's 57%. However, performance in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) is significantly below state averages, with 4th grade being a particular concern. Only 38% of 4th graders are proficient in ELA (22 points below the state) and 39% in Math (26 points below the state). The school's overall state ranking has declined from the 39th percentile (2 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 22nd percentile (1 star) currently, indicating a downward trend. A notable concern is the 30.1% chronic absenteeism rate, which, while slightly better than the district and state averages, still means nearly a third of students are missing substantial instructional time.
Despite a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 and spending of $11,788 per student, academic outcomes are below average. The data reveals significant year-over-year volatility in test scores, suggesting inconsistent instructional quality. The severe struggles in 4th-grade Math and ELA, combined with the high absenteeism, point to critical areas needing attention. For parents, this school offers a potential strength in elementary science but requires careful consideration regarding its core academic challenges and the instability in its performance metrics.
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