Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary schools (PK-5) in zip code 33317, covering Plantation and part of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, all part of the Broward County Public School District.
Plantation Park Elementary stands out as the top performer, earning a 4-star rating with the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.0%) and the highest test scores across most subjects. In contrast, Meadowbrook Elementary faces significant challenges as the only 1-star school, with test scores well below district averages and high poverty rates. Peters Elementary is a math powerhouse, achieving the highest 3rd-grade math proficiency (85%) despite having the highest chronic absenteeism rate (40.0%). Tropical Elementary offers the most consistent performance, meeting or exceeding state averages in every subject for the 2025-2026 school year. Plantation Elementary presents a paradox: it has the highest per-student spending ($15,323) and smallest class sizes, yet its 4th-grade ELA (40%) and Math (45%) scores are alarmingly low, though it excels in 5th-grade Science (79%).
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results—the two lowest-spending schools are the top performers. Chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, with the best school having the lowest rate and the struggling schools having the highest. Overall, families in this area have diverse options, from the consistently high-achieving Plantation Park to the specialized math strength at Peters, but should be aware that Meadowbrook requires significant support to improve its outcomes.
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