Summary:
Zip code 33597 (Webster, FL) is home to two public schools serving grades PK through 8 within the Sumter school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 63rd percentile among Florida districts.
South Sumter Middle School is the standout performer in this area, consistently ranking in the 67th percentile or higher statewide over the last three years. It outperforms both district and state averages in 9 out of 10 tested subjects, with exceptional results in advanced coursework—100% of students were proficient in Geometry and 94% in Algebra 1, far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, Webster Elementary School underperforms the district in all seven tested subjects and lags behind the state in five. This creates a clear efficiency paradox: Webster Elementary spends $14,335 per student with a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio, while South Sumter Middle School spends $1,503 less per student with a slightly higher ratio of 17.1:1, yet achieves far superior academic results.
The most pressing concern for both schools is chronic absenteeism, with rates of 36.9% at Webster Elementary and 35.7% at South Sumter Middle School—both well above the district average of 26.9% and the state average of 31.4%. This systemic issue likely contributes to Webster Elementary's struggles, particularly in math, where proficiency gaps of 8 to 14 percentage points below the district average persist. While South Sumter Middle School currently excels, the high absenteeism rate poses a future risk to its continued success. There are no high schools in this zip code, so students must travel outside the area for grades 9-12.
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