Summary:
In zip code 34428, there is a single middle school, Crystal River Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with 906 students in the Crystal River area, part of the Citrus County School District.
Crystal River Middle School presents a mixed picture of performance. The school has a moderate level of economic disadvantage, with 49% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and spends $11,357 per student with a student-teacher ratio of 18.1 to 1. Its state ranking has fluctuated, landing in the 38th percentile (2 stars) for the 2025-2026 school year. A major concern is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 43.7%, which is significantly worse than the state average of 31.4% and likely impacts overall achievement. The school shows notable strengths in advanced math, with 88% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 100% in Geometry End-of-Course exams, both far exceeding state averages. However, performance in core subjects is inconsistent; for example, 8th grade math proficiency is strong at 72%, but 6th grade math proficiency is a low 32%, well below the state average of 60%. English Language Arts scores also lag behind state averages across all three grade levels.
Key takeaways for parents include a stark contrast in math programs: while 6th graders struggle, the school excels at accelerating students into advanced math courses. The high chronic absenteeism rate is a critical systemic issue that likely drives below-average performance in subjects like ELA and Civics. Year-over-year test scores show volatility, suggesting that student cohorts or instructional focus can vary. The school’s success in advanced math is a bright spot, but it raises questions about whether resources are balanced between supporting top-tier students and addressing the needs of struggling learners, particularly in 6th grade math.
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