Summary:
Zip code 32819 in Orlando, FL, is home to 10 schools serving elementary through high school grades, including three statewide virtual schools and seven traditional brick-and-mortar institutions within the Orange district, revealing a stark educational divide between high-performing and challenged schools.
Dr. Phillips Elementary stands out as the top performer, ranking in the 88th percentile statewide with strong test scores—83% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA—and a low chronic absenteeism rate of 16.9%. In contrast, Tangelo Park Elementary faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 19th percentile with only 33% of 4th graders proficient in ELA and a high absenteeism rate of 48.3%. The Fl Virtual schools show a paradox: Florida Virtual Middle School excels in advanced coursework like Biology (99% proficiency) and Geometry (90%), but struggles with standard grade-level math. Dr. Phillips High and Florida Virtual High School both boast high graduation rates (96.3% and 97%, respectively), while Simon Youth Found Academy At Outlet Mktplce, an alternative school with only 21 students, maintains an 86.7% graduation rate despite an 84.1% chronic absenteeism rate and high per-student spending of $59,984.
Key metrics highlight that chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of performance, with struggling schools like Tangelo Park and Simon Youth Academy having the highest rates. Spending does not guarantee success: Dr. Phillips Elementary spends a modest $11,228 per student while achieving top results, whereas Simon Youth Academy spends nearly six times that amount. The feeder pattern from high-performing elementary schools like Palm Lake Elementary to Southwest Middle suggests a pipeline of success, while Tangelo Park Elementary may feed into less-resourced schools, perpetuating disparities. Overall, families in 32819 have diverse options, from high-achieving traditional schools to specialized virtual and alternative programs, but should carefully consider each school's unique strengths and challenges.
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