Summary:
Zip code 34139 is home to a single school, Everglades City School, a unique PK-12 institution in the remote community of Everglades City that serves 136 students within the Collier district.
Everglades City School stands out for its exceptional 100% graduation rate, far exceeding both the district (94.4%) and state (92.2%) averages. However, its academic performance on standardized tests is a mixed bag. The school shows notable strengths in elementary grades, with 100% proficiency in 5th Grade Math and 80% in 5th Grade Science. Yet, there are significant weaknesses, particularly in high school math: Algebra 1 proficiency dropped to just 17%, dramatically below the district (75%) and state (63%). The school's small size creates volatility in scores, as seen with 8th Grade Science swinging from 8% to 80% in consecutive years. With a very low student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 and per-student spending of $41,686—roughly 3-4 times the national average—the school invests heavily in personalized attention. Nearly 64% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, yet chronic absenteeism (18.4%) is well below the state average (31.4%), indicating strong student engagement.
The key takeaway is that Everglades City School excels at keeping students on track to graduate, a remarkable feat for a high-poverty community school. Its high spending funds a full PK-12 program for a tiny population, but does not guarantee consistent proficiency across all subjects. Parents should expect a highly personalized environment with small classes, but be aware that test scores can fluctuate significantly from year to year due to small cohort sizes. The school's strength lies in student retention and graduation, while academic proficiency varies widely by subject and grade level.
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