Summary:
Zip code 33707 in Gulfport, Florida, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12 (and 5-12 for one), offering a stark contrast in educational environments within the same Pinellas County district.
Boca Ciega High School is the area's traditional comprehensive high school, enrolling 1,039 students and standing out with a strong 94.5% graduation rate that exceeds both the district (93.4%) and state (92.2%) averages. However, its 1-star rating (26th percentile statewide) and a concerning 48.6% chronic absenteeism rate—well above the district average of 30.6%—signal underlying challenges. Test proficiency averages around 47%, which is notably lower than the district's 63% average. In contrast, Disston Academy is a much smaller alternative school with only 63 students, serving grades 5-12. It faces severe difficulties, holding a 0-star rating (6th percentile) and a 40.5% graduation rate. Its most alarming metric is an 88.4% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning nearly 9 out of 10 students are regularly missing school, which directly explains its low test proficiency of about 17%.
The most striking finding is the extreme disparity between these two schools. Despite spending nearly four times more per student ($45,822 vs. $12,062) and maintaining a much smaller student-teacher ratio (7.8:1 vs. 18.2:1), Disston Academy's academic outcomes are drastically lower. This suggests the school serves a student population with significant at-risk factors requiring intensive support. For parents, Boca Ciega High School offers a more traditional path with a high graduation rate, though attendance issues are a red flag. Disston Academy is clearly designed for students who need a highly structured, alternative setting, but its performance metrics indicate profound challenges that money alone cannot quickly solve.
Thank you for your feedback!