Summary:
In zip code 33823 (Auburndale, FL), there are two middle schools serving grades 6-8 (with one extending to grade 10), both part of the Polk County School District, and they represent a stark contrast in educational models and student outcomes.
Berkley Accelerated is the standout school, ranked in the 74th percentile statewide (4-star school) and serving grades 6-10 with a magnet/accelerated program. It boasts strong proficiency rates, with 77% in ELA and 68% in math, and excels in high school subjects like Biology (92%) and Algebra 1 (88%). In contrast, Jere L. Stambaugh Middle is ranked in the 17th percentile (1-star school) and faces significant challenges, including a 75.81% free/reduced lunch rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of 49.4%—nearly half its students missing significant school time. Stambaugh's proficiency rates are much lower, at 39% in ELA and 37% in math, despite spending $1,734 more per student than Berkley. A key finding is the "8th Grade Math Cliff," where both schools see a sharp drop in math proficiency from 7th to 8th grade (e.g., Berkley drops from 73% to 24%), indicating a district-wide hurdle with advanced math standards. Additionally, both schools struggle with 8th Grade Science, with Berkley scoring only 27% proficient, a notable weakness for an otherwise high-performing school.
For parents, the choice is clear: Berkley Accelerated offers a rigorous, high-achieving environment with strong outcomes, while Jere L. Stambaugh Middle serves a high-poverty population and requires significant intervention to address absenteeism and academic gaps. The data underscores how socioeconomic factors and school models drive performance, with Berkley's efficiency and Stambaugh's resource needs highlighting the equity challenges in this area.
Thank you for your feedback!