Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 32605 (Gainesville, FL): Littlewood Elementary School, C. W. Norton Elementary School, and Glen Springs Elementary School, all part of the Alachua district, serving grades PK-5 or K-5 with enrollments ranging from 429 to 714 students.
Glen Springs Elementary School stands out as the top performer, achieving a 66th percentile state ranking and a 3-star rating, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (19.8%) and the lowest free/reduced lunch percentage (38.23%). Its 3rd-grade ELA proficiency of 76% far exceeds district and state averages. Littlewood Elementary School is a strong, consistent performer, jumping from the 54th to the 67th percentile in state ranking, with the largest enrollment (714) and lowest per-student spending ($12,115), suggesting efficient resource use. C. W. Norton Elementary School is the lowest-ranked school, consistently in the 38th-43rd percentile, with the highest chronic absenteeism (25.7%) and test scores generally below district and state averages.
Key findings include a "science star" paradox where C. W. Norton leads in 5th-grade science (68% proficient) despite overall low performance. Chronic absenteeism is a major differentiator, with a 10-point gap between Glen Springs and Littlewood. There is an inverse relationship between spending and performance, as the highest-spending school (C. W. Norton) is the lowest-ranked. Math is a universal challenge, with none of the three schools meeting the state average for 3rd-grade math (66%), pointing to a systemic issue in the district.
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