Summary:
The schools in zip code 34291 (North Port, FL) include two schools—North Port High School and Heron Creek Middle School—serving grades 6 through 12 within the highly rated Sarasota School District, which ranks 9th out of 70 districts in Florida.
Heron Creek Middle School stands out for its exceptional advanced math program, with 100% of students proficient in Geometry and 80% in Algebra 1, far exceeding district and state averages. This is particularly notable given that 68.78% of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch, a higher rate than at North Port High School (51.54%). The middle school also benefits from higher per-student spending ($16,195 vs. $12,704) and a lower student-teacher ratio (14.7:1 vs. 20.4:1), which likely supports its strong performance in advanced coursework and Civics (89% proficiency). However, its standard grade-level math and science scores are more mixed, with 8th-grade math proficiency at 53% (below the state average of 61%) and 8th-grade science at 59% (below the district average of 62%).
North Port High School excels in graduation rate (94.7%, above both district and state averages) and maintains a low chronic absenteeism rate of 22.3% (well below the state average of 31.4%). Its state ranking improved from the 47th to the 53rd percentile in the latest year. The high school shows strong proficiency in US History (76%) and Biology (70%), but struggles significantly in Algebra 1 (35% proficient, compared to the district’s 70%). This stark contrast in math performance between the two schools raises questions about student preparedness and instructional alignment. Overall, Heron Creek Middle School delivers targeted excellence in advanced subjects despite higher economic need, while North Port High School achieves strong graduation outcomes with greater efficiency and larger class sizes.
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