Summary:
The three public elementary schools in zip code 33415—Forest Hill Elementary School, Pine Jog Elementary School, and Melaleuca Elementary School—serve 2,434 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade in West Palm Beach, Florida, as part of the Palm Beach School District. These schools present a clear hierarchy of performance, with Forest Hill Elementary standing out as the top-ranked school in the area, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 64th percentile statewide for 2025-2026. In contrast, Melaleuca Elementary is the most challenged, holding a 1-star rating and ranking in the 29th percentile, while Pine Jog Elementary falls in the middle with a 2-star rating and 43rd percentile ranking.
Key metrics reveal significant differences in resources and challenges. Forest Hill has the highest spending per student ($16,123) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (14:1), which likely contributes to its strong academic performance, including notable year-over-year gains in subjects like 5th Grade Science (71% to 78%) and 4th Grade ELA (39% to 58%). Melaleuca, despite spending more per student ($15,075) than Pine Jog ($13,898), has the worst outcomes, with the highest chronic absenteeism rate (33.5%) and the highest percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch (66.42%). Pine Jog achieves moderate success with the lowest spending and the lowest absenteeism rate (25.8%), suggesting efficient resource use.
An interesting finding is that all three schools report 100% proficiency in 6th Grade Math for 2024-2025, likely due to accelerated programs for advanced 5th graders, though on-grade-level math performance varies widely—for example, 4th Grade Math scores range from 30% at Pine Jog to 50% at Melaleuca. Forest Hill’s remarkable turnaround from a 2-star to a 3-star rating highlights successful interventions, while Melaleuca’s high absenteeism underscores a critical area for improvement. Overall, parents should consider Forest Hill for its strong academics and resources, but note that Pine Jog offers solid performance with fewer funds, and Melaleuca may need additional support to address its challenges.
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