Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33405

Zip code 33405 in West Palm Beach, Florida, is served by five public schools within the Palm Beach School District, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, with a total enrollment of approximately 4,555 students.

For parents, the standout school in the area is South Olive Elementary School, which is the only school in the zip code to maintain a consistent 3-star rating for three consecutive years. It boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (19.3%) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (45.44%), indicating a comparatively more affluent student body. In contrast, Belvedere Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, with a 1-star rating for three years running and the highest rate of students on free/reduced lunch (70.88%). Palmetto Elementary School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 28th percentile to the 62nd percentile in just two years, with 4th and 5th grade ELA and Math proficiency rates all exceeding 70%. At the secondary level, Forest Hill Community High School presents a paradox: despite low test scores and a high chronic absenteeism rate (36.8%), it boasts an astounding 97.4% graduation rate, far exceeding district and state averages. Conniston Middle School excels in advanced math (100% Geometry proficiency) but struggles with grade-level math and English, suggesting a focus on high-achieving students while many others are left behind.

Key takeaways for parents include a strong correlation between poverty and performance, with South Olive (lowest poverty) performing best and Belvedere (highest poverty) performing worst, though Palmetto's recent surge despite a 67% poverty rate is a notable exception. Spending per student varies widely, from $14,398 at Conniston to $19,735 at Palmetto, but does not clearly correlate with outcomes, indicating that how money is spent matters more than how much. Additionally, all three elementary schools report a suspicious 100% proficiency in 6th Grade Math, which is likely a data error and should be disregarded.