Summary:
Zip code 33050 in Marathon, Florida, is home to two public schools within the highly-rated Monroe County School District, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 30% of Florida districts. Marathon School serves grades 6-12 with 809 students, while Stanley Switlik Elementary School serves grades PK-5 with 602 students, offering a complete K-12 education path within the community.
Despite nearly identical per-student spending (around $17,500) and student-teacher ratios (about 14.7:1), the two schools show distinct strengths. Stanley Switlik Elementary stands out for an exceptional 81% math proficiency rate among 3rd graders, far exceeding state and district averages, even though the school serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (66.61% free/reduced lunch). In contrast, Marathon School excels in high school outcomes, boasting a 93.8% graduation rate and a low 19.4% chronic absenteeism rate, both better than district and state averages. However, Marathon School shows a concerning "middle school slump," with 8th-grade math proficiency dropping to just 27%, well below the state average of 61%.
Both schools are ranked in the 2-star range (40th and 36th percentiles statewide), which is lower than the district's overall 4-star rating, indicating they underperform relative to other Monroe County schools. A key takeaway is the need for tailored strategies: Switlik's early math success contrasts with its overall ranking, while Marathon's strong graduation rates mask significant middle school math challenges. Year-over-year test scores at Marathon also show volatility, such as 7th-grade math dropping from 67% to 43% in one year, suggesting performance is heavily influenced by specific student cohorts or instructional changes.
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