Summary:
Zip code 32809 in Orlando/Belle Isle, FL, is home to three high schools serving approximately 3,606 students in grades 7-12, presenting a stark contrast in academic performance and school climate.
The standout performer is Cornerstone Charter Academy High, which earned a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 26% of Florida high schools. It boasts a 100% graduation rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism at 24.7%, and test scores that exceed both the Orange district and state averages. In contrast, Chancery High Charter is severely challenged, holding a 0-star rating with a 31.7% graduation rate, 79.6% chronic absenteeism, and a staggering 54.7:1 student-to-teacher ratio—more than double the other schools. Oak Ridge High, the largest school with 2,553 students, sits in the middle with a 2-star rating. While its 95.9% graduation rate is surprisingly high, this masks low academic proficiency (30% in Algebra 1, 39% in 10th-grade ELA) and a 59.3% chronic absenteeism rate, suggesting a disconnect between graduation and mastery of core subjects.
A key takeaway is the near-perfect inverse correlation between chronic absenteeism and performance: the best school has the lowest absenteeism, and the worst has the highest. Additionally, the two charter schools are polar opposites, proving that "charter" is not a single category. A unique bright spot for Oak Ridge is its 87% proficiency in US History, far exceeding district and state averages, indicating a potential model for improvement. For parents, this data highlights that school choice within this zip code dramatically impacts student outcomes, with Cornerstone offering a clear path to success, while Chancery and Oak Ridge face significant systemic challenges that require urgent attention.
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