Summary:
Zip code 32953 in Merritt Island, Florida, is home to two high schools within the Brevard school district: Edgewood Junior/Senior High School (serving grades 7-12) and Merritt Island High School (serving grades 9-12). These two schools present a dramatic contrast in performance, making this a unique area for families to evaluate.
Edgewood Junior/Senior High School is the standout school in the area, consistently ranking in the 98th percentile statewide and earning a 5-star rating. It boasts near-perfect academic proficiency rates (over 90% in most subjects), a 100% graduation rate, and a very low chronic absenteeism rate of just 9.9%. In contrast, Merritt Island High School is a larger, more traditional school that performs near the state average, with a 3-star rating and a 56th percentile rank. While it has a strong 98.5% graduation rate, its academic proficiency rates are significantly lower—especially in math, where only about 32% of students are proficient compared to Edgewood's 98%. Merritt Island also struggles with a chronic absenteeism rate of 23.4%, more than double that of Edgewood.
Key takeaways for parents include the strong correlation between socioeconomic factors and performance, as Edgewood has a much lower free/reduced lunch rate (12.53%) compared to Merritt Island (33.54%). Interestingly, Merritt Island actually spends more per student ($10,667 vs. $10,257), showing that spending alone does not drive success. For families prioritizing top-tier academic outcomes and a highly engaged student body, Edgewood Junior/Senior High School is the clear choice. However, Merritt Island High School offers a solid, average experience with a high graduation rate, though parents should be aware of its math proficiency challenges and higher absenteeism.
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