Summary:
In zip code 33852, there is one middle school, Lake Placid Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with 507 students in the Lake Placid area, part of the Highlands school district.
Lake Placid Middle School presents a mixed picture of strong academic gains alongside a significant challenge. The school has shown remarkable improvement in math, with all three grade levels (6th, 7th, and 8th) jumping from below state averages in the 2024-2025 school year to above state averages in 2025-2026. Most notably, 100% of students scored proficient in Algebra 1, far exceeding the district (57%) and state (63%) averages. The school also excels in 8th grade math (71% proficient vs. 61% statewide) and Civics (79% proficient vs. 77% statewide). However, a major concern is the chronic absenteeism rate of 47.4%, which is significantly higher than the district (36.0%) and state (31.4%) averages. Despite this, the school's state ranking rebounded from the 33rd percentile to the 48th percentile in the most recent year.
With 67.46% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a high-poverty community, yet it achieves above-state-average results in several key subjects. The school invests $12,849 per student and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. The dramatic turnaround in math scores—including a 21-point jump in 6th grade math—suggests recent instructional changes are having a positive impact. While the high absenteeism rate is a red flag, the academic performance of attending students indicates effective support and teaching, making this a school with both notable strengths and areas needing attention.
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