Summary:
Zip code 32696 (Williston, FL) is served by two elementary schools, Joyce M. Bullock Elementary School (Pre-K through 2nd grade) and Williston Elementary School (grades 3-5), which operate as a unique split campus within the Levy school district—a district ranked 47th out of 70 in Florida.
The most critical finding is a stark contrast in chronic absenteeism between the two schools. Joyce M. Bullock Elementary School has a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.7%, significantly higher than the district average of 31.9% and the state average of 31.4%. In comparison, Williston Elementary School has a much lower rate of just 19.6%. This suggests that the challenge of getting students to school is heavily concentrated in the early grades (PK-2), potentially undermining the district's investment in smaller class sizes and higher per-student spending at Joyce M. Bullock ($11,418 per student vs. $10,105 at Williston Elementary).
Academically, Williston Elementary School shows a mixed performance. While its overall state ranking is low (1-star, 23rd percentile), it demonstrates a relative strength in English Language Arts (ELA), with 5th graders achieving 58% proficiency—just 3 points below the state average. However, Math and Science are clear weaknesses, with 4th-grade math at 44% proficiency (vs. 65% state) and 5th-grade science at 43% (vs. 60% state). Both schools serve a high-poverty population (over 59% free/reduced lunch), which is a known factor in academic challenges. The key takeaway for parents is that solving the attendance problem at Joyce M. Bullock is likely the most impactful step for improving long-term outcomes at Williston Elementary, while the upper grades need focused support in math and science.
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