Summary:
Zip code 32621, serving the Bronson, FL area, is home to two public schools within the Levy County School District: Bronson Elementary School (grades PK-5) and Bronson Middle/High School (grades 6-12). Both schools serve a student population with significant economic need, as reflected in high free and reduced lunch rates, and they share a district ranked in the lower third of Florida.
The most striking contrast between the two schools is their trajectory. Bronson Elementary School is in a steep academic decline, with its state percentile rank dropping from the 46th to the 11th percentile over three years. Proficiency rates in core subjects like math and English Language Arts consistently fall well below state averages, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 35% is a likely contributing factor. In contrast, Bronson Middle/High School boasts a standout graduation rate of 98.2%, significantly exceeding the state average of 92.2%, despite also having mostly below-average test scores. This suggests the high school excels at keeping students on track to graduate, even if academic proficiency in some subjects is a challenge.
A key area of concern at Bronson Middle/High School is a dramatic "8th grade cliff" in math, where proficiency plummets from 55% in 7th grade to just 23% in 8th grade. Both schools spend over $11,000 per student, which is slightly above the state average, yet this investment is not translating into high academic performance. For parents, the data paints a picture of a district with a high school that successfully graduates its students, but an elementary school facing serious challenges that require immediate attention, particularly around chronic absenteeism and foundational academic skills.
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