Summary:
There are three public elementary schools serving grades PK-5 in zip code 33825 (Avon Park, FL), all part of the Highlands school district, which is ranked in the lower half of Florida districts and serves a student population with high economic need, as over 68% of students across all schools qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Park Elementary School is the clear standout in this area, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide, dramatically outperforming its local peers. Park achieves significantly higher test scores, particularly in math where its average proficiency of 80.7% far exceeds the state average of 64%, and it also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 24.0%. In contrast, Memorial Elementary School is the most challenged, with a 2-star rating, the lowest test scores across nearly all subjects, and the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 31.7%. Avon Elementary School sits in the middle with a 3-star rating, but it shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 35th to the 55th percentile in recent years, suggesting recent interventions may be working.
A key takeaway is that spending more money does not guarantee better results. Avon Elementary spends the most per student ($14,653) and has the smallest class sizes, yet it is outperformed by Park Elementary, which spends nearly $3,000 less per student and has larger classes. This indicates Park Elementary is using its resources more effectively. Additionally, chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, as the top-performing school has the lowest absenteeism rate. While Park excels in math, Avon Elementary actually outperforms Park in 5th grade science, showing that each school has unique strengths and challenges for parents to consider.
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