Summary:
This analysis examines three high schools in zip code 33020 (Hollywood, FL), all part of the Broward school district, which serve grades 6-12 or 9-12 and range dramatically in size from 123 to 2,358 students.
Avant Garde Academy Of Broward stands out as the top performer, boasting a remarkable 98.6% graduation rate and strong test scores, including 67% proficiency in 10th-grade ELA and 73% in Algebra 1, all while spending the least per student ($8,117). In contrast, South Broward High School shows promising academic improvement, rising from the 38th to the 54th percentile in state rankings over three years, but faces a severe chronic absenteeism crisis with over half (52.8%) of students chronically absent—far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. Paragon Academy Of Technology, the smallest school with only 123 students, spends the most per student ($10,447) and has a low student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1, yet its academic outcomes do not match these resources, with test scores generally below district and state averages.
The key takeaway for parents is that school size and spending do not guarantee results. Avant Garde demonstrates high efficiency and consistent performance, while South Broward is improving but must address its absenteeism problem. Paragon, despite its resources, struggles academically, highlighting that effective curriculum and instruction matter more than funding alone. The two charter schools in the area—Avant Garde and Paragon—serve similar grade ranges but have vastly different outcomes, proving that the "charter" label is not a uniform indicator of quality.
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