Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in zip code 32835 (Orlando, FL), serving grades PK-5 (with one K-8 school), all part of the Orange school district, which ranks in the 57th percentile statewide.
The standout performer is Windy Ridge K-8, a high-achieving magnet school that earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 27% of Florida elementary schools. It has the lowest poverty rate (23.59% free/reduced lunch) and the lowest chronic absenteeism (19.9%), while achieving near-perfect scores on Algebra 1 (97%) and Geometry (100%) exams. In stark contrast, Metrowest Elementary is the lowest-performing school, consistently ranking in the bottom 18% with a 1-star rating for three years. William Frangus Elementary shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 22nd to the 42nd percentile in one year—a leap of 461 places in state rankings. Other schools include Westpointe Elementary, a solid middle-tier performer (64th percentile) despite a 30.3% chronic absenteeism rate, and Oak Hill Elementary and Orlo Vista Elementary, which both struggle with high poverty rates (over 60%) and rank in the bottom half of the state.
Key findings reveal that higher spending does not guarantee success—the two highest-spending schools, William Frangus ($13,756) and Orlo Vista ($13,693), are also the lowest-performing. Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue, with Orlo Vista having the highest rate (38.2%) and the lowest test scores. The middle-tier schools show inconsistent performance across subjects; for example, Westpointe excels in 5th Grade Science (75%) but struggles in 4th Grade Math (62%). Overall, the data highlights a significant performance divide driven by socioeconomic factors, with Windy Ridge K-8 as the clear academic powerhouse in the area.
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