Summary:
Zip code 32656 in Keystone Heights, Florida, is home to two elementary schools—Keystone Heights Elementary and McRae Elementary School—both serving Pre-K through 6th grade within the Clay County School District, a highly-rated district ranked 17th in Florida.
McRae Elementary School stands out as the stronger academic performer in the area, consistently outpacing Keystone Heights Elementary across nearly all subjects. McRae’s average math proficiency (76.75%) is 19 points higher than Keystone Heights (57.75%) and well above the state average (63.25%), with exceptional scores in 4th and 6th-grade math (82% and 89%). McRae also leads in 5th-grade science (68% vs. 50%) and overall English Language Arts (60% vs. 56%), though Keystone Heights has a notable bright spot in 6th-grade ELA (72% vs. 62%). McRae holds a higher state ranking (64th percentile, 3 stars) compared to Keystone Heights (36th percentile, 2 stars), and its performance has remained stable over three years, while Keystone Heights has declined from the 58th percentile.
Both schools serve high-poverty populations, with free/reduced lunch rates of 66.24% at Keystone Heights and 69.49% at McRae, yet McRae’s superior results demonstrate effective strategies for overcoming socioeconomic challenges. McRae also benefits from higher per-student spending ($12,574 vs. $11,457) and a lower student-teacher ratio (11.8:1 vs. 13:1), suggesting that targeted investment in smaller classes and resources yields strong returns. Chronic absenteeism is a shared challenge, with both schools near the state average of 31.4%. For parents, McRae offers consistently strong academics and stability, while Keystone Heights shows pockets of strength in 6th-grade ELA but faces a downward trend that may warrant closer attention.
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