Summary:
In zip code 34420, there is one middle school, Belleview Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with a substantial enrollment of 1,600 students in the Belleview area of Marion County.
Belleview Middle School is a school of contrasts, excelling in advanced coursework while facing significant challenges in core math and attendance. The school is a standout for its exceptional performance in advanced math, with Algebra 1 proficiency rates between 84-88% and Geometry proficiency between 96-100%, far exceeding district and state averages. However, this success contrasts sharply with standard 8th-grade math, where only 37-40% of students are proficient—a rate well below both the district and state. The school also boasts strong results in 8th-grade Science (60%) and Civics (80%), outperforming its district, Marion, which ranks in the bottom 10th percentile of Florida districts. Despite these bright spots, a major concern is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 36%, which is above the state average and likely hinders overall academic growth. The school's state ranking has improved slightly over three years, moving from the 48th to the 57th percentile, but performance trends are mixed, with notable declines in 8th-grade math and science scores.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Belleview Middle School offers a strong pipeline for advanced math students but may struggle to support the majority of 8th graders in standard math. The school spends $8,718 per student with a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.6:1, and over half of students (50.81%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. While the school consistently outperforms its low-performing district, the high absenteeism and uneven year-over-year results suggest a need for more consistent instructional strategies to help all students succeed.
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