Summary:
In zip code 33440, there is one middle school, Clewiston Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with 679 students in the Hendry district, an area where 68.63% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Clewiston Middle School presents a mixed picture of strong advanced academics and significant challenges in core subjects. The school excels in advanced courses, with 100% of students proficient in Geometry and 79% in Algebra 1, far exceeding state averages. However, a critical issue is the "8th Grade Math Cliff," where proficiency drops to just 12%, compared to 61% and 63% in 6th and 7th grade math. This suggests students not in advanced tracks struggle greatly with grade-level math. The school also has a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 40.7%, nearly double the district average, which likely impacts overall performance. On a positive note, the school's state ranking has improved from the 28th to the 36th percentile over three years, earning a 2-star rating, and 8th Grade Science proficiency jumped 10 points to 46%.
Key metrics show a student-teacher ratio of 19.9:1 and spending of $12,117 per student. While the school performs well in Civics (82% proficient) and shows strength in advanced math, core ELA proficiency hovers around 50% in all grades, below state averages. The school appears to operate as two tracks: high-achieving students in advanced courses and a larger group struggling in standard classes. The combination of high poverty, high absenteeism, and the stark 8th-grade math gap are the most important factors for parents to consider when evaluating Clewiston Middle School.
Thank you for your feedback!