Summary:
Zip code 33319 in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, is home to two elementary schools serving grades PK-8 within the Broward County Public School District, a 3-star rated district ranked in the 67th percentile statewide.
Park Lakes Elementary School is the standout performer in the area, showing a strong upward trajectory in its state ranking from the 33rd to the 56th percentile over three years. In the most recent school year, it met or exceeded the district average in every tested subject and grade level, a remarkable achievement. In contrast, Central Charter School, a larger K-8 charter school, underperforms in core elementary subjects, falling below the district average in 10 out of 12 FAST and Science tests. However, Central Charter excels dramatically in advanced coursework, achieving 100% proficiency in Biology 1 and 91% in Geometry on End-of-Course exams, creating a "barbell" profile of weak early grades but exceptional high-school level performance.
Both schools face challenges with chronic absenteeism, with rates at or above the state average of 31.4%. Park Lakes spends $789 more per student ($11,775 vs. $10,986) and serves a higher percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (63.34%), yet achieves significantly better elementary results, suggesting more effective resource allocation. While Park Lakes is on a clear upward trend, Central Charter's ranking has been more volatile, dropping from the 27th to the 25th percentile before a slight recovery to the 31st. For parents, Park Lakes offers a consistently improving, high-performing traditional public school, while Central Charter provides a unique option with exceptional advanced coursework opportunities for middle school students, despite weaker elementary foundations.
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