Summary:
In zip code 33838, there is one elementary school, Dundee Elementary Academy, serving grades PK through 5 with 657 students in the Dundee area of Polk County.
Dundee Elementary Academy is a standout school that consistently outperforms its district, Polk, which is ranked in the 13th percentile statewide. Despite 63.77% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school exceeds both district and state averages in nearly every subject. For example, in the 2025-2026 school year, 3rd-grade Math proficiency reached 81% (district: 56%, state: 66%), and 5th-grade Science proficiency hit 65% (district: 49%, state: 60%). The school also boasts a chronic absenteeism rate of just 19.8%, far below the district rate of 39.1% and the state rate of 31.4%, indicating strong family engagement and a positive school climate. However, the school's state ranking has been volatile, dropping from 500th (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to 795th (3 stars) in 2025-2026, suggesting a recent relative decline.
A key finding is the "3rd Grade Peak" phenomenon, where 3rd-grade proficiency is exceptionally high (80%+ in ELA and Math) but drops sharply in 4th grade (51% in ELA, 60% in Math), with partial recovery in 5th grade. This may reflect a strong early literacy program that struggles with more complex curriculum. Additionally, the school showed dramatic year-over-year improvement from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, such as 3rd-grade ELA jumping from 58% to 80% proficiency. Overall, Dundee Elementary Academy is a high-poverty school defying odds, operating as an academic star within a low-performing district, with its success likely driven by internal factors like effective teaching and leadership.
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