Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 32751 (Maitland and Eatonville, FL), serving grades PK through 5 within the Orange school district, revealing a stark contrast in performance and resources across the area.
Dommerich Elementary is the standout school, consistently ranking in the top 2% of Florida elementary schools with a 5-star rating and exceptional academic results: 91.3% math proficiency, 86.7% ELA proficiency, and 92% science proficiency. In contrast, Lake Sybelia Elementary and Hungerford Elementary both hold 2-star ratings, with math proficiency at 62% and 53.7% respectively, and ELA proficiency at 56% and 58.7%. A key finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Dommerich spends the least per student ($11,155) yet achieves the highest outcomes, while Hungerford spends the most ($16,590) but has the lowest overall state ranking. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful differentiator, with Dommerich at just 6.2% compared to Lake Sybelia's 36.6% and Hungerford's 26.8%.
Despite its lower overall ranking, Hungerford Elementary shows pockets of strength, with 4th graders achieving 74% ELA and 67% math proficiency—above district and state averages. The data highlights that factors like socioeconomic background and community resources are strong drivers of student outcomes, as Dommerich's free/reduced lunch rate is just 10.31% versus 76.16% at Hungerford. For parents, this area offers a clear choice: Dommerich provides top-tier performance with larger class sizes, while Lake Sybelia and Hungerford receive more funding per student and smaller class ratios but face greater challenges in closing achievement gaps.
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