Summary:
In zip code 34234 of Sarasota, Florida, three elementary schools serve students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade, revealing a stark contrast in academic performance and resources within the same community.
Bay Haven School Of Basics Plus stands out as the top performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 87th percentile statewide, significantly outperforming the other two schools. In contrast, Dreamers Academy and Emma E. Booker Elementary School both hold 2-star ratings, ranking in the 38th and 43rd percentiles respectively. Bay Haven achieves the highest proficiency rates in 5th grade science (88%), average ELA (78.3%), and average math (80.3%), while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 9.7%—far below the district average of 20.1%. Interestingly, Emma E. Booker has the highest spending per student at $22,923 and the lowest student-to-teacher ratio (14:1), yet it posts the lowest math proficiency scores, suggesting that factors beyond funding drive success. Socioeconomic indicators align with performance, as Bay Haven has the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (51.92%) compared to Emma E. Booker's 86.25%.
Despite current disparities, there are positive trends for the lower-performing schools. Dreamers Academy has shown the most significant improvement, jumping from the 24th to the 38th percentile over two years, while Emma E. Booker has demonstrated consistent gains in 3rd and 4th-grade ELA and math scores. All three schools are part of the Sarasota school district, which ranks in the 87th percentile statewide. For parents, Bay Haven offers the strongest academic outcomes and attendance, while Dreamers Academy and Emma E. Booker, though currently below district averages, are showing promising upward trajectories that may improve with continued support.
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