Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33311

Zip code 33311, encompassing parts of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, and Wilton Manors in the Broward school district, contains 21 schools serving approximately 7,431 students across elementary, middle, high, and alternative programs, with most schools performing below state averages but a few standout exceptions.

The clear top performers in this area are the two Somerset schools, which defy the odds by serving the highest percentages of low-income students while achieving the best academic results. Somerset Academy Village Charter Middle School ranks in the 87th percentile statewide with exceptional test scores, including 90% proficiency in 8th grade math, and a low chronic absenteeism rate of 19.6%. Its elementary counterpart, Somerset Village Academy, ranks in the 72nd percentile and achieves strong math scores despite having the highest free/reduced lunch rate in the zip code at 89.76%. William Dandy Middle School shows remarkable improvement, jumping from the 19th to 40th percentile in one year, with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (17.3%) among standard public schools and excellent end-of-course exam scores in Biology and Geometry. In contrast, the high schools face severe challenges: Sunfire High School ranks in the 1st percentile with a 15.2% graduation rate and 96.9% chronic absenteeism, while Sandra Marie Curtis High School ranks in the 6th percentile with 0% proficiency in 10th grade ELA. Dillard 6-12 stands out as the only traditional high school not in crisis, boasting a 94.6% graduation rate despite below-average test scores.

Chronic absenteeism is the defining issue across the zip code, averaging 44.5% compared to the district's 33.6%, and strongly correlating with low performance. Per-student spending varies dramatically from $6,272 to $20,814, but shows no clear link to success, as evidenced by Broward Estates Elementary School having the highest spending ($20,814) but ranking in the 22nd percentile. The average student-teacher ratio is 22.5:1, with Larkdale Elementary School experiencing a dramatic decline from the 36th to 10th percentile, now showing high chronic absenteeism at 49.0% and test scores well below district averages.