Summary:
Zip code 32606 in Gainesville, Florida, is home to two public elementary schools, Meadowbrook Elementary School and Hidden Oak Elementary School, both serving grades K-5 (with Hidden Oak also offering Pre-K) within the Alachua school district.
Hidden Oak Elementary School stands out as the stronger overall performer, consistently ranking higher than Meadowbrook Elementary School. In the most recent state ranking, Hidden Oak placed in the 76th percentile, while Meadowbrook ranked in the 71st percentile. Hidden Oak also boasts superior academic performance, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA), where its average proficiency (73%) is over five percentage points higher than Meadowbrook's (67.7%). Additionally, Hidden Oak has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (17.6% vs. 21.5%) and spends $1,066 more per student ($10,867 vs. $9,801), which may contribute to its better outcomes. Both schools perform similarly in Math, with average proficiency rates around 70%, and both exceed district and state averages in 5th-grade Science, though Hidden Oak shows a slight edge (71% vs. 69%).
A key takeaway is that both schools have chronic absenteeism rates dramatically lower than the district (31.6%) and state (31.4%) averages, indicating strong student engagement in this area. While Meadowbrook Elementary School demonstrates notable consistency in Math—with a standout 79% proficiency rate in 4th grade—Hidden Oak Elementary School offers a more well-rounded academic program with higher ELA and Science scores, lower absenteeism, and a stronger historical trajectory. For parents, Hidden Oak appears to provide a slight overall advantage, but both schools are solid choices within the district.
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