Summary:
The six public schools in zip code 34461 (Lecanto, FL) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade within the Citrus County School District, a district ranked 53rd out of 70 in Florida, and present a diverse educational landscape with stark contrasts in performance and resources.
Lecanto Middle School stands out as the academic star, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 63rd percentile statewide, with exceptional advanced math proficiency—94% of students were proficient in Algebra 1 and 93% in Geometry, far exceeding state averages. Lecanto High School shows a strong upward trend in its ranking and boasts a 95.6% graduation rate, higher than both district and state averages, though its chronic absenteeism rate of 41.2% and below-average proficiency in core subjects like Algebra 1 (38%) suggest some students may graduate without strong foundational skills. Lecanto Primary School is a bright spot for young learners, with 3rd-grade math proficiency at 76% and ELA at 67%, significantly outperforming district and state averages despite a moderate free/reduced lunch rate of 52%.
In contrast, alternative schools serve a higher-need population with intensive resources. Crest School spends $60,452 per student with a 4.2:1 student-teacher ratio, while SRMI @ Renaissance Center faces profound challenges with single-digit proficiency rates and 77.6% chronic absenteeism. Pace Center For Girls has the highest free/reduced lunch rate at 86.21%. A key takeaway is that chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, exceeding the state average of 31.4% at every school, which likely drives many academic struggles across the area.
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