Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in the 32940 zip code (Viera/Melbourne, FL), all part of the Brevard County School District, serving grades from PK/K to 6 or 8, and collectively ranking in the top 13% of Florida elementary schools.
For parents seeking top academic performance, Viera Elementary School and Manatee Elementary School are the standout traditional public schools. Viera Elementary ranks 71st in Florida (97th percentile) with exceptional 5th-grade science (93% proficiency) and 4th-grade math and ELA (89% each). Manatee Elementary is a close second, ranking 116th (95th percentile) and excelling in math, with 97% proficiency in 6th-grade math and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (8.5%) in the area. For families interested in a K-8 environment with high school acceleration, Viera Charter School is unique, achieving 100% proficiency in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Biology 1 EOC exams, though its overall elementary rank (491st) is lower than the top traditional schools. Suntree Elementary School (ranked 181st) and Quest Elementary School (ranked 237th) are solid performers, though Quest spends more per student ($11,732) without achieving top-tier results. Pinecrest Academy Space Coast is the lowest-ranked school in the area, showing a concerning "middle school math cliff" where proficiency drops from 78-84% in early grades to just 31% in 8th-grade math.
Overall, the area is a school choice haven with an average free/reduced lunch rate of 20.5% and chronic absenteeism of 11.0%—far below state averages. While affluence correlates with performance, Suntree outperforms Quest despite a similar economic profile, highlighting the role of school culture and teaching quality. The data shows a clear choice: for traditional excellence, choose Viera or Manatee Elementary; for K-8 acceleration, choose Viera Charter School.
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