Summary:
In zip code 33711 (St. Petersburg, FL), there are two elementary schools serving grades PK-5 within the Pinellas school district, presenting a stark contrast in academic performance and school climate.
Douglas L. Jamerson Junior Elementary stands out as the high-performing school in the area, consistently ranking in the top 35% of Florida elementary schools. Its 3rd graders achieved exceptional proficiency rates of 80% in English Language Arts and 88% in Math, far exceeding both district and state averages. The school also boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 13.3%, less than half the district average, indicating strong student engagement. In contrast, Fairmount Park Elementary School faces significant challenges, with 84.71% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 48.9%. Despite spending $19,550 per student—over $6,000 more than Jamerson—Fairmount Park's academic outcomes are much lower, with 3rd grade proficiency rates of 45% in ELA and 53% in Math.
An interesting finding is that Fairmount Park's 5th graders achieved a 70% proficiency rate in Science, matching the district average and exceeding the state average, a notable outlier given its overall struggles. The data clearly shows that while additional funding is directed to Fairmount Park, the high rate of chronic absenteeism and concentrated poverty appear to be overwhelming factors. For parents, the choice between these two schools is stark: Jamerson offers a high-achieving, low-absenteeism environment, while Fairmount Park requires significant additional support to overcome its challenges, despite receiving more resources per student.
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