Summary:
Zip code 32615 in Alachua, Florida, is home to three elementary schools serving grades PK-5, offering a mix of traditional public and public charter options within the Alachua district.
Alachua Learning Academy Elementary is the standout school in this area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year. It achieves this with significantly lower spending per student ($8,522) and a higher student-to-teacher ratio (18:1) compared to its peers. Its proficiency rates are dramatically higher, with 5th-grade math at 81% and English Language Arts at 88%, far exceeding state averages. The school also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.5%, roughly one-third of the district and state averages. In contrast, Alachua Elementary School spends the most per student ($16,145) and has the smallest class sizes (13.6:1) but ranks in the bottom 20% of the state with a 1-star rating. Its 5th-grade math proficiency (61%) is near the state average, but its ELA proficiency (48%) lags behind. W. W. Irby Elementary School serves as a PK-2 feeder school and has limited test score data, but its high chronic absenteeism rate (31.2%) and free/reduced lunch percentage (58.87%) suggest significant socioeconomic challenges that likely impact student readiness for later grades.
The data reveals a clear "efficiency vs. spending" paradox, where the charter school outperforms traditional schools despite lower funding and larger class sizes. The traditional schools face compounding challenges from high poverty and absenteeism, with Alachua Elementary's 5th-grade math improvement hinting at potential bright spots. For parents, Alachua Learning Academy Elementary offers the strongest academic outcomes and student engagement, while the traditional schools may require additional support to address systemic hurdles.
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