Summary:
Zip code 32720 in DeLand, Florida, is home to four public schools within the Volusia school district, serving students from elementary through middle school, with no high schools present in the area.
Citrus Grove Elementary School stands out as the top performer, consistently earning a 3-star state rating and leading in science and 3rd-grade math proficiency, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (25.8%) and the lowest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (52.95%). In contrast, Edith I. Starke Elementary School faces the greatest challenges, with the highest chronic absenteeism (39.9%), the highest free/reduced lunch rate (79.63%), and the lowest state ranking, though it has the highest per-student spending ($14,385). Woodward Avenue Elementary School offers a lower student-teacher ratio (14.3:1) but trails Citrus Grove in overall performance and has higher absenteeism. Southwestern Middle School presents a unique paradox: while its grade-level math scores lag behind state averages, it achieves exceptional proficiency in advanced courses like Algebra 1 (91%) and Geometry (97%), suggesting a strong program for accelerated students.
Key metrics reveal a clear link between socioeconomic factors and academic outcomes across these schools, with higher poverty rates correlating with lower performance and higher absenteeism. The average chronic absenteeism rate across the four schools is 32.7%, slightly above the state average, and per-student spending varies widely from $10,441 at Southwestern Middle to $14,385 at Edith I. Starke, yet higher spending does not guarantee better results. Overall, families in this area will find a mix of strong elementary options like Citrus Grove and specialized middle school opportunities for advanced learners, but should be aware of the significant challenges at Edith I. Starke and the need to address absenteeism as a key factor in student success.
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