Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33317

Zip code 33317, encompassing parts of Plantation, Davie, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is home to nine schools within the Broward County Public School District, serving approximately 6,422 students from elementary through high school, including an alternative center.

The academic landscape in 33317 is defined by a stark contrast between its standout schools. McFatter Technical College is a true powerhouse, ranking in the top 3% of Florida high schools with a perfect 100% graduation rate and exceptional test scores. In contrast, Meadowbrook Elementary School consistently struggles, ranking in the bottom 24th percentile of Florida elementary schools with a 1-star rating. A rising star is Plantation Park Elementary, which jumped to the 81st percentile and boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.0%) among standard schools. The zoned high school, South Plantation High School, presents a paradox with a strong 98.8% graduation rate but an alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rate of 51.7%, suggesting a significant portion of students are disengaged. Seminole Middle School shows a "middle school slump," with 8th-grade proficiency dropping significantly compared to earlier grades, while Plantation Elementary School has inconsistent performance despite having the highest spending per student ($15,323) and lowest student-teacher ratio (14.8:1).

Key metrics reveal a mixed picture. The average chronic absenteeism rate for standard schools (35.5%) exceeds both district and state averages, while the average free/reduced lunch rate (45.9%) indicates moderate economic need. Spending per student varies widely, from $10,016 at South Plantation High School to over $15,000 at some elementary schools, yet higher spending does not guarantee better results. The Pine Ridge Alternative Center is a unique outlier, serving only 39 students with a very high chronic absenteeism rate (63.2%) and extreme per-student spending ($104,509). Overall, while McFatter Technical College elevates the zip code's academic reputation, families should carefully evaluate individual schools, as performance and engagement vary dramatically across the area.