Summary:
Zip code 32931 in Cocoa Beach, Florida, is home to two elementary schools serving grades PK-6, both part of the Brevard County School District, and offers a stark contrast in performance and demographics within a small geographic area.
Freedom 7 Elementary School Of International Studies is the standout school, consistently ranking in the top 1% of all Florida elementary schools (99th to 100th percentile) and earning a 5-star rating for three consecutive years. It serves 408 students with exceptionally high academic proficiency—94.5% in ELA, 95% in Math, and 92% in Science—and boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 4.3%. Only 10.54% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending is $12,042 with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School is a solid, above-average school ranking in the 77th-80th percentile with a 4-star rating, serving 275 students. Despite higher per-student spending ($14,652) and a slightly better student-teacher ratio (13:1), its academic performance is significantly lower—77.25% in ELA, 72% in Math, and 75% in Science—and its chronic absenteeism rate is 18.7%, nearly five times higher than Freedom 7.
The most striking finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Theodore Roosevelt spends $2,610 more per student yet achieves lower results, suggesting that factors like a highly engaged parent community and school culture drive Freedom 7's success. Chronic absenteeism is a clear predictor of performance, with Freedom 7's rate being exceptionally low. Grade-level trends show Freedom 7 achieving 100% proficiency in 6th Grade Math, while Theodore Roosevelt experienced a sharp drop in 4th Grade Math proficiency from 73% to 50% in one year, warranting further investigation. Overall, Freedom 7 is the top choice for families seeking elite academic performance, while Theodore Roosevelt remains a good option with more economic diversity and room for improvement.
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